BROADCASTING legend Jeff Stelling, famous for his time on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, recently opened up about a forgotten moment in his career. Stelling revealed that he was the presenter for the breakaway World Darts Championship in 1993, which marked the beginning of a sporting revolution. However, Stelling admitted to making a major blunder during the first tournament, leaving viewers and the PDC wondering what kind of presenter they had on their hands.

A Controversial Breakaway

The World Darts Championship in 1993 was a significant moment for the sport, as it marked the split from the BDO and the creation of the rebel WDC (later known as the PDC). Stelling compared this breakaway to other controversial moments in sports history, such as Kerry Packer's cricket revolution and LIV Golf. The PDC faced doubts in its early days, but little did they know the success that awaited them.

Stelling's Hilarious Blunder

During the first World Darts Championship, Stelling made a memorable mistake in one of his opening lines. He introduced two legends of darts, Eric Bristow and "Jocky Brown." Of course, Stelling meant to say Jocky Wilson, but the slip-up left viewers and the PDC questioning their choice of presenter. Despite the blunder, the event turned out to be a commercial success, and Stelling thoroughly enjoyed his time as the face of the tournament.

From Darts to Soccer Saturday

After his stint as the presenter for the World Darts Championship, Stelling went on to bigger and better things as the iconic host of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday. He continued to entertain sports fans with his energetic and knowledgeable commentary. Stelling eventually passed the baton to Dave Clark, another beloved figure in the Sky Sports commentary team.

Stelling's Fond Memories

Stelling fondly recalled his time at the Circus Tavern, where the World Darts Championship took place. He described the venue as sticky, but full of brilliant characters like Bristow, John Lowe, Dennis Priestley, and the legendary Phil Taylor. Stelling formed a good relationship with Taylor, who he still regards as one of the all-time great sportsmen. The presenter even shared a heartwarming story about Taylor's kind gesture on Soccer AM.

The Growth of Darts

Stelling marveled at how much darts has grown in the last 30 years. The prize money for the first World Darts Championship in 1994 was £16,000, but it has now skyrocketed to £500,000, with talks of reaching £1 million. Stelling expressed his happiness at seeing the players make a decent living from the sport. However, he acknowledged that the early pioneers of darts missed out on the lucrative opportunities that the current generation enjoys.

Phil Taylor's Impact

Stelling praised Phil Taylor for his unmatched determination and skill in the sport. Taylor's dominance and unbeatable nature left a lasting impact on Stelling. The presenter admired Taylor's ability to demolish opponents and rise above any challenges. His influence on Stelling's life and the sport as a whole is immeasurable.

Jeff Stelling has become a beloved figure in the world of broadcasting, and his career includes memorable moments in both darts and soccer. From his hilarious blunder as the World Darts presenter to his success on Soccer Saturday, Stelling continues to entertain and inspire sports fans across the UK.

Jeff Stelling has helped raise over £1.7 million for Prostate Cancer UK through his charity walks. Prostate cancer affects one in eight men, but early detection can increase chances of a cure. Visit the Risk Checker on prostatecanceruk.org/180-risk for more information.