Gary Anderson (Picture: PDC)

Darts results: Gary Anderson hits out at darts influencers on day one of the World Masters

By Sporting Life

Darts

Fri January 30, 2026 · 3d ago

Gary Anderson came through a thriller on day one of the World Masters but then caused a stir when hitting out at darts influencers during his press conference.

The Flying Scotsman averaged over 100 as he overcame Niels Zonneveld 3-2 in Milton Keynes on Thursday night to reach the second round.

After the usual questions about his performances, the topic turned to the rising amount of social media influences getting involved in darts and their range of 'tutorial' style videos.

Anderson took issue with the impact they could be having on the next generation of darts fans but stopped short of naming any specific names.

He said: "I don't [do] YouTube, but I'm watching... what do you call them? Influencers. 'How to play darts', I've never seen the bloke in my life.

"I've watched him play darts, he's absolutely rank at it, so why watch him? Kids need to learn they can go buy a set of darts that cost you ten, 20, 30, 40, 50 quid, instead of spending hundreds of pounds on darts, and play the game.

"What a load of b*******, absolute t******. It's the truth though!" he continued. "How many times do you watch boys on YouTube, 'Play like a pro'?

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀

"I've watched him play darts, he's absolutely rank at it so why watch him?

"What a load of b******s. You know who I'm talking about and it's a load of rubbish." pic.twitter.com/GiSlh7hdj4
— Darts Now (@DartsNow) January 29, 2026

"You know who I'm talking about, it's a load of rubbish. So for young kids, it ain't good.

"Just let them play darts and enjoy it. Buy a £20 set of darts, and go and enjoy your game of darts. End of, easy."

MVG dumped out

Back to the action on the oche and Damon Heta eliminated five-time Masters winner Michael van Gerwen as Gerwyn Price impressed on the opening night in Milton Keynes.

The Australian number - a two-time quarter-finalist in Milton Keynes - took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a classy 124 outshot, before Van Gerwen rallied to level proceedings.

Heta then capitalised on a profligate outer-ring performance from his opponent to take the next two sets and defeat the five-time Masters winner, taking out his third ton-plus checkout to put out the world number four.

“It was special that I got the win, it didn’t matter who I played,” admitted Heta, who converted 63% of his double attempts. “Me and Michael have had a few battles over the years, but to get a win over him is defiantly a feather in the cap.

“At the end of the day, you have to take your chances. I missed a few but I took a few, so happy days!”

Price produced the standout performance of the evening, averaging 108.5 in his 3-0 drubbing of James Hurrell.

The former World Champion won the opening set with a 13-darter and crashed in four 180s to win six of the eight legs available to cap off a dominant display.

“I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game,” confessed Price, who has not progressed past round two since 2022 in Milton Keynes.

“It’s a cut-throat format, I think he had a shot at double to win the first set. You have to be more concentrated in every leg.

“I had to perform well as James played fantastic. If I had one or two slip-ups it would have been a completely different game, but thankfully I was up for it.”

Price’s Welsh World Cup partner Clayton also made a winning return to Arena MK, dispatching Wessel Nijman 3-1.

The 2021 Masters champion and runner-up in Milton Keynes last year ceded the opening set despite taking out a whopping 161 checkout, before taking out six of the next eight legs to prevail.

Nathan Aspinall impressed in his round one clash, reeling off six straight legs and averaging over 105 to defeat debutant Shane McGuirk 3-1.

The Stockport star initially trailed after McGuirk conjured up an unconventional 141 finish to lead 1-0 in sets, but Aspinall did not lose a leg from then on, taking out seven of his 11 double attempts over the contest.

European Champion Gian van Veen claimed victory in his maiden appearance at the World Masters, downing Ryan Joyce 3-1 to set up a round two showdown with Aspinall.

James Wade averaged over 102 to see past Madars Razma 3-2, as the 2014 Masters champion won eight of the 12 legs in the contest despite being pushed the distance by the Latvian number one.

2023 Masters winner Chris Dobey breezed to a whitewash victory over Jermaine Wattimena thanks to a clinical display on the outer-ring.

The Winmau World Masters continues on Friday, as defending champion Luke Humphries and World Champion Luke Littler open their campaigns.

Humphries takes on St Helens star Dave Chisnall, whilst Littler will mark his second World Masters appearance by facing former World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.

Also on Friday evening, 2024 Masters winner Stephen Bunting takes on Jeffrey de Graaf, and World Cup winners Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney play Connor Scutt and Dutch arrowsmith Danny Noppert respectively.

World Masters: First-round draw and tournament bracket

(1) Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
(16) Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
(8) Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
(9) Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
(4) Michael van Gerwen 1-3 Damon Heta
(13) Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
(5) Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
(12) Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell
(2) Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
(15) Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
(7) Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf
(10) Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
(3) Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce
(14) Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk
(6) Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld
(11) James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma

World Masters: Results & Schedule

Thursday January 29 (1900 GMT)
TV Coverage: ITV4
First Round x8

Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen 1-3 Damon Heta
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce

Friday January 30 (1900 GMT)
TV Coverage: ITV4
First Round x8

Martin Schindler v Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith v Jimmy van Schie
Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Rob Cross
Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting v Jeffrey de Graaf

Saturday January 31
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)

Second Round x4

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

Second Round x4

Sunday February 1
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

Semi-Finals
Final

Format

Preliminary Rounds - Best of three sets, best of three legs per set
First Round - Best of five sets, best of three legs per set
Second Round - Best of seven sets, best of three legs per set
Quarter-Finals - Best of seven sets, best of three legs per set
Semi-Finals - Best of nine sets, best of three legs per sets
Final - Best of 11 sets, best of three legs per set

Darts: Related content

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