Jeff Stelling is still haunted by the blunder he made while presenting the darts 30 years ago when the former Gillette Soccer Saturday host accidentally introduced Jocky Wilson as Jocky Brown.
“In the early days, everyone probably expected the PDC — or the WDC, as it was originally called — to shrivel and die,” he said.
“And it didn’t help when the bloke presenting the very first show dropped an absolute clanger with one of his opening lines!
“I said: ‘Make no mistake — the sport’s heavyweights are here this week.’
“Make no mistake? I then proceeded to say: ‘Joining me are two legends of darts, Eric Bristow and Jocky Brown . . . ’
“Jocky Brown? Who the hell is Jocky Brown? Of course, I meant Jocky Wilson — what a start.
“The PDC must have wondered: ‘What sort of numpty have we got here?’ It was a right cock-up on my very first day, no excuses.”