Andrew Gilding Just Said Something on Live TV That Made Everyone Lose Their Minds

By Lewis Barnett 23 July, 2025 5 mins read 310 Views

God, I love live television.

So there I was, watching the World Matchplay darts coverage last night (my mate Dave bet me £15 that Gilding wouldn't make it past the second round - jokes on him), when Andrew "Goldfinger" Gilding absolutely demolished Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-5. Fair play to the guy. At 54, reaching the quarters for only the second time in his career? That's proper dedication right there.

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Then He Opened His Mouth

Sky Sports presenter Polly James walks up to him at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, microphone in hand, probably expecting the usual "yeah I played well, felt good out there" nonsense that darts players usually spout.

Instead, Gilding drops this absolute bombshell: "Thank you. I don't know what happened. I've spent two days in the hotel room, getting stiff and come up here today feeling absolutely awful and somehow it happened."

The silence that followed... you could've heard a pin drop in Blackpool.

Poor Polly Nearly Lost It

James later admitted on social media (and I'm paraphrasing here because I was laughing too hard to screenshot): "People asking how I kept a straight face….. I bloody didn't."

Honestly, watching her try to maintain professional composure while processing what she'd just heard was television gold. The woman deserves a BAFTA for that performance alone.

The Darts World Went Mental

Glen Durrant - three-time Lakeside champion, won the Premier League back in 2020 - posted something like: "What was that about Andrew Gilding / stiff / hotel room. I didn't quite catch it." The man's playing innocent but you know he rewound that clip about seventeen times.

Gemma Hayter, who's won the Women's Series twice, was even more direct: "Spent two days in the hotel room getting stiff. Wonderfully worded Andrew Gilding," followed by a crying-laughing emoji.

Twitter (sorry, X... still feels weird calling it that) absolutely exploded. One fan wrote: "Andrew Gilding spent two days in the hotel doing WHAT?!" Another person said they nearly choked on their tea.

It Gets Better (Or Worse, Depending on Your Perspective)

But wait - there's more!

When asked about his tournament prep, Gilding casually mentions: "We went out for fish and chips but that's about it really..." Like mate, you've just told the entire darts world about your hotel room activities and now you're talking about chippy runs?

The interviewer, bless her heart, tries to steer things back to safer territory by asking what brings out the best in him at Blackpool. His response? "All the Goldfinger scarves. I've got a lot more support over the years."

What Happens Next Will Shock You (Not Really)

Plot twist: Gilding's next opponent is Luke Littler. Yeah, the reigning world champion who nearly bottled it against Jermaine Wattimena after going 4-0 down. The World No2 managed to claw his way back, but honestly? After Gilding's performance today (both on the oche and in the interview), I wouldn't count him out.

Gilding said he wasn't even going to watch the remaining matches to find out who he'd face next. "Don't care who I play," he said, thumping his chest. That's the kind of confidence you get from... well, apparently from spending two days getting stiff in a Blackpool hotel room.

The tournament continues with Gian van Veen taking on James Wade, Stephen Bunting facing Jonny Clayton, and Gerwyn Price waiting to see if he'll face Michael van Gerwen or Josh Rock.

But let's be honest - none of those matches are going to generate the kind of social media buzz that Gilding just created with one poorly-worded sentence.

Sometimes the best moments in sport happen completely by accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

Statistics

A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.

External Links

How To

Taking Your Game Public

Playing at home is one thing; throwing in a crowded, noisy bar is another beast entirely. My first league night was a disaster—I couldn't focus with people walking behind me and the pressure of teammates watching. Now I wear headphones with low music between throws and have a specific pre-throw routine to center myself.