As Seen On TV – Emma Paton Issue #03

Well it’s been a while hasn’t it!

Last time I checked in we hadn’t even got to the World Matchplay yet! But just like that, we’re approaching the business end of the year.

Blackpool feels like months ago (I guess it was!) but I’m not sure I’ll forget semi-finals night at the Winter Gardens for a long time. I think – for now at least – that’s been my favourite night of darts of 2025! After a magnificent seven days we arrived at the second Saturday with a cracking final four of Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and James Wade and we ended up with two marathon matches that will go down in history as maybe the best night of World Matchplay action we’ve ever had. Our final lived up to the billing too with Littler ticking off yet another major and doing it in typical Littler fashion – a comeback win over Wade and a 107 average. Wow!

I can’t not mention the Women’s World Matchplay either which brought arguably the shock of the weekend as Beau Greaves went out in the semi-finals and Lisa Ashton picked up her first Blackpool crown. Who said women’s darts was too predictable!?

Since then we’ve had plenty of Euro Tour and Pro Tour action, plus some of the guys have been down-under on the World Series, but I have to say one of my highlights of the year came out in Amsterdam at the World Series Finals last month. It was a tournament that delivered on drama, quality, and storylines, but nothing quite matched the emotion of Michael van Gerwen reclaiming the trophy.

From the go he had to really dig deep! After defying a match dart in the first round, he managed to get past Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Josh Rock and then overcame Littler in the final, taking control mid-match and closing with a nice 130 checkout. I felt quite emotional watching van Gerwen, especially the celebrations with his daughter after; it felt like way more than just another trophy, it ended a televised title drought of two years, silenced doubts and reasserted that when he’s at his best he belongs at the top. And doing it in front of a Dutch crowd really made it all the more special. More of that please Michael!

There’s been what feels like a huge break between our major tournaments on Sky. Every year we finish the Matchplay and then have to wait over two months until the gang is back together for the World Grand Prix which I hate!! I’ve been in regular contact with the team, especially Wayne and Webby, counting down the days until we’re reunited. Next up for us it’s Leicester and I really can’t wait! It’s such a brilliant event, not least because of the brutal double start format! If you’re not sharp from the very first dart, you’re in trouble.

The draw has served up a real treat – a first round tie between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen? Yes please!! This is one of the few majors Littler hasn’t won and he’s up against one of the best finishers on the tour this year, I can’t wait to see how that plays out. I’m also really intrigued to see how Luke Humphries gets on. Having won the Masters and the Premier League already this year, it’s this period now where he’ll want to make a statement and show he’s still world number one. I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on Josh Rock as well who seems to now be a regular at the business end of major tournaments, and he just seems full of confidence at the moment!

What makes the Grand Prix even more exciting for me is that this really feels like crunch time. From here on in, every tournament seems to matter that little bit more. Form, confidence, momentum – it all starts to build towards one thing: the World Championship at Ally Pally.

This is the point in the season where the big players want to lay down a marker, the outsiders fancy their chances, and we as fans get to enjoy the ride.

The countdown is officially on!!