
God. I'm still recovering from the fashion whiplash after seeing Emma Paton on Sunday's BAFTA red carpet. The Sky Sports darts presenter absolutely OWNED that event in a way that made me question my entire wardrobe choices for teh past decade.
The Dress That Launched a Thousand Comments
Emma, who's just 30 and already has the presenting confidence I'm still faking at 40, showed up in this stunning black Anna October dress that flowed all the way to the floor. The kind that makes you think "I could never pull that off" while simultaneously googling where to find it.
She actually rented the piece through Hurr (smart move) for £631. Back in 2018, I spent nearly £800 on a dress for my cousin's wedding that I've worn exactly once. Still bitter about that financial decision.
Listen. The photos from the Royal Festival Hall don't even do her justice. That smile for the cameras? Pure confidence.

Instagram Went Absolutely Bonkers
Her 259k followers lost their collective minds. Comments ranged from "Absolutely perfect" to "OH my.... so beautiful" and "Beautiful inside and out."
One person just wrote "Simply stunning wow." Which... same.
Not Her First Rodeo With Breaking The Internet
Anyone who follows darts knows this isn't Emma's first time leaving fans speechless. January's PDC darts final? She wore this bold red outfit that had my husband suddenly "interested in darts" for the first time in our 12-year marriage. His response: "I'm just appreciating the sports coverage." Yeah, right.
And don't even get me started on that blazer outfit during the tournament. Legs for days.

The Woman Behind The Microphone
What's fascinating about Emma's rise is how she's built this massive following while covering a sport that, let's be honest, isn't exactly Premier League football in terms of mainstream appeal. She's like a fashion icon hiding in plain sight at the darts championship.
I remember watching her early broadcasts in 2021 and thinking she had that rare quality of making viewers feel like she's talking directly to them. No pretense. No fake enthusiasm.
Just authenticity.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I'm genuinely curious what Emma's next career move might be. With that kind of camera presence and growing fanbase, Sky would be mad to keep her exclusively on darts coverage (though her darts knowledge is actually impressive as hell).

Whatever happens, I'll be watching. And probably taking notes on her outfit choices while pretending I'm not.
My prediction? This won't be her last BAFTA red carpet appearance. Next time she might be walking it as a nominee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?
Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.
Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.
Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
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.
Statistics
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
External Links
How To
Throwing Technique: The Basics
The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.