Some of the very best players in the world are on show at the Scarlets Darts Masters. Spectators will be treated to appearances from no less than four World Champions, as well a top referee, legendary MC and stunning walk on girl, on what it is sure to be a night to remember.

THE PLAYERS

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor needs no introduction. He is arguably the greatest sportsman of all time and is regarded as the best player ever to pick up a dart. The Power has been crowned as World Champion an incredible 15 times and has won more that 150 professional tournaments over three glorious decades. Taylor made history in 2010 when he hit two perfect nine dart finishes in the final of the Premier League. He is still ranked as number one in the world. The 51 year old uses 26g Unicorn ‘Phase 5 Rosso’ darts.

‘The Machine’ James Wade is the second most successful player in the history of the PDC. He has won an impressive seven major titles including the World Grand Prix, World Matchplay and Premier League. Wade’s most recent triumph came last year when he claimed his second UK Open title. He was a semi-finalist at the 2012 World Championship. The Machine is ranked as number three in the world. The 28 year old uses 20g Unicorn darts.

‘The Wizard’ Simon Whitlock is perhaps the best darts player ever to come out of Australia and has established himself as one of the finest in the world. Whitlock surged up the PDC rankings with a brilliant run to the final of the 2010 World Championship. The Wizard will take part in the prestigious Premier League for the third consecutive year next month. He is ranked as number five in the world. The 42 year old uses 22g Winmau darts.

‘Spider’ Mark Webster is currently the best player Wales. He is a World Champion, having won the BDO title in 2008. Webster represented his country in the inaugural World Cup of Darts in 2010, where he and Barrie Bates finished as runners-up. Spider played in the 2011 Premier League and posted an impressive 110.19 average in one match, the second highest ever in the competition. He was also a finalist in the 2011 Players Championship. Webster is ranked as number eight in the world. The 28 year old uses 20g Winmau darts.

‘The Dutch Destroyer’ Vincent van der Voort is the fastest player in the world. The Dutchman is a real crowd pleaser due to his rapid throw and entertaining walk on. Van der Voort reached the final of the UK Open in 2007, his first year on the PDC circuit. He is ranked 14th in the order of merit. The 36 year old uses 23g Master darts.

‘The Asset’ Paul Nicholson is one of the most charismatic players in the game. The Australian has become a huge threat on the circuit since winning his first major title in the 2010 Players Championship. His image as the ‘bad boy of darts’ has helped him become one of the best known names in the sport. He has the talent to back it up too, having beaten some of the highest ranked players in the world. Nicholson is currently ranked 17th in the order of merit. The 32 year old uses 20g Unicorn darts.

‘The Matchstick’ Co Stompe is one of the best in the current crop of players from The Netherlands. Stompe represented his country in the 2010 World Cup of Darts, where he and Raymond van Barnerveld clinched the major title. He is currently 26th in the world rankings. The 49 year old uses 23g Grand Slam darts.

‘The Prince of Wales’ Richie Burnett is a former World Champion, having won the BDO title in 1995. The Welshman was also crowned World Master in the previous year. In 2001, Burnett made it to the final of the World Matchplay. He produced a shock at the 2012 World Championship by beating compatriot Mark Webster in the first round. The Prince of Wales is currently ranked at number 31 in the world. The 44 year old uses 23g Red Dragon darts.

Robert ‘The Thorn’ Thornton is one of Scotland’s best darts players. He won his first major title when he became World Master in 2007 after coming back from 5-2 down to win the final 7-5. Thornton was runner-up to Phil Taylor in the 2009 Players Championship. His current world ranking is 34. The 44 year old uses 26g Red Dragon darts.

John ‘Highlander’ Henderson is another of Scotland’s finest. He won five Open titles in the space of twelve months in 2008. Henderson’s best major performance to date came when he reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Grand Prix. Highlander is ranked as 42nd in the PDC order of merit. The 38 year old uses 24g A180 darts.

Barrie ‘Batesy’ Bates is one of the best Welshmen on the PDC circuit. He has reached two major finals, the 2007 UK Open and the 2010 World Cup of Darts, where he and Mark Webster represented Wales. In 2006, Bates was recognised for his Pro Tour form by being named Best Floor Player at the PDC Awards Dinner. He is currently ranked at number 40 in the world. Batesy uses 22g Unicorn darts.

Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham is one of darts’ most famous characters. The former World Champion is in the process of making a comeback on the PDC circuit. Fordham clinched his first major when he won the World Masters in 1999. Having made four Lakeside semi-finals, The Viking’s finest hour came in 2004 when he finally won the World Championship, hitting a nine-darter along the way. The 49 year old uses 21g Winmau darts.

THE REFEREE

George Noble has been officiating professional darts matches for over 20 years. He has refereed in over 300 major events all over the world, including 20 World Championship finals. In the 2010 Premier League final, Noble became the first referee to call two nine dart finishes in the same match.

THE MC

John Gwynne has been commentating on darts since the very first PDC World Championship. He is a well known sports commentator and has covered a range of sports in his long career. Gwynne is also a writer, after dinner speaker and a decent amateur darts player, as well as an excellent Master of Ceremonies.

THE WALK ON GIRLS

Erica Wild has been a darts walk on girl since it became her first professional job in 1999. The stunning brunette also works as a professional model and is a former Miss Lancashire and a Miss Great Britain finalist. Miss Wild described her work in darts as the best job she has ever done.

Nicola Cowell regularly gets pulses racing at top darts events. The 23 year old blonde bombshell is fresh from walking on the players at the recent Ladbrokes World Championship. Miss Cowell also works a professional model. She has also been a Soccerette on SKY’s soccer am and is a former Miss Blackpool.

By Chris Murphy

Date : 17-01-2012