When Baby Shower Games Go Nuclear: A Darts Family's Epic Meltdown

By Lewis Barnett 27 May, 2025 5 mins read 56 Views

God, where do I even start with this one?

So picture this: you're at what should be a lovely baby shower, probably with those tiny sandwiches and pink decorations everywhere. Everyone's cooing over baby clothes and playing harmless party games. Except when your family happens to be related to a world darts champion, apparently even "Would Mummy Rather" can turn into a full-contact sport.

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The Setup Was Perfect for Disaster

Chantelle Wilson was just trying to celebrate her upcoming baby girl with her partner Ben Ritchie at the Lochore Miners' Welfare Social Club in Fife last May. Sweet, right? Her mum Sarah (45) was there, along with her sister Chardonnay (20) - and yes, I'm already getting strong vibes about how this family rolls with names like that.

Here's the kicker though: Sarah and Chardonnay are the niece and great-niece of Jocky Wilson, the late World Professional Darts Championship winner. So we're talking about a family that probably doesn't back down from competition.

Ben's side of the family showed up too - his mum Pamela and his grandmother Yvonne. At first, everyone was getting along "fine" according to court records. But honestly? That should've been the first red flag.

Would Mummy Rather... Start a Riot?

The trouble started during what should've been an innocent game of "Would Mummy Rather." Someone asked whether Chantelle would rather "put a bottle on for the baby or open a bottle of wine."

Look, I've been to enough baby showers to know these games can get a bit cheeky, but this question hit different. Someone from Ben's family - and I'm betting they thought they were being hilarious - yelled out that she'd obviously choose to open the wine.

Chantelle got upset. Understandably.

Chardonnay later told the court: "My mum told her they could speak any other day but not to spoil the occasion." Which sounds reasonable enough, except tensions were already building like a pressure cooker.

Baby Bingo Becomes Baby Bloodbath

But wait, it gets worse.

They moved on to "Baby Bingo" - another supposedly innocent game - when more drama erupted over what the court described as "apparent sexual comments." The details are murky, but whatever was said pushed everyone over the edge.

Then someone allegedly made an abusive remark aimed at the Wilson family. And that's when all hell broke loose outside the venue.

Sarah Wilson went after Pamela Ritchie (Ben's mum) by pulling her hair and throwing punches. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Chardonnay lashed out at Ben's grandmother Yvonne - who later claimed her feeding tube was removed during the attack.

A feeding tube. At a baby shower. I can't even.

The Legal Aftermath

Both Sarah and Chardonnay Wilson ended up convicted of assault at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. Sarah pleaded guilty, while Chardonnay was convicted after a trial - though she still denies removing the grandmother's feeding tube and kicking her.

Chardonnay's solicitor, Gino Gambale, basically begged for mercy, pointing out that a conviction would end her career as a carer. He told the court: "This was the baby shower for her sister and as we've heard tensions heightened throughout the day. The families were not getting on and this has spilled outside. This was a serious assault but something that happened very quickly."

Sheriff Susan Duff agreed to give Chardonnay an absolute discharge, meaning the offense won't go on her record despite the conviction. She said it wouldn't be "proportionate" to end a young person's career over this.

Sarah Wilson is still waiting to be sentenced next month.

What Actually Happened Here?

Honestly, this whole thing reads like a perfect storm of family drama, pregnancy hormones, and maybe a few too many pre-game drinks. You've got two families who clearly don't like each other being forced together for a celebration, party games designed to be a bit provocative, and a family with competitive DNA.

The poor baby at the center of all this drama probably felt the stress from inside the womb.

I keep thinking about how this started over such a stupid game question. But then again, family feuds have started over less. And when you're dealing with in-laws who are already on shaky ground, it doesn't take much to light the fuse.

What a way to welcome a new generation into the family, right?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Statistics

Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
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.

External Links

How To

Mastering Your Grip & Stance

There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.

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