The World Matchplay final between Luke Littler and James Wade was stopped due to a disturbance into the crowd as Wade fumed over the spectator. He had built up a 5-0 lead over the reigning world champion, but Littler stormed back before a fan was identified for causing a disturbance.
While tied at 7-7, Wade pointed out to the referee and TV cameras that someone had been whistling or shouting while the players were at the oche about to throw. He let off a puzzled look to the right of the dartboard, in a clear effort to get them to stop interrupting the finalists.
At the time, Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle said: “There has been a couple of times. Someone is maybe whistling or shouting out because James mouthed ‘who’s that?'”
Littler began to assert himself on the Blackpool stage and after he moved into a 10-8 lead, at the end of the leg, Wade walked away from the oche and tried to pinpoint the culprit.
Mardle explained the incident and noticed that Wade was looking in the direction of the VIP area at the Winter Gardens, causing the match to come to a halt.
“Whoever it is has caused the game to stop,” Brundle said. “They need to be ejected. It looks like it’s coming from the VIP area!”
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There were no further incidents involving the person, but Wade was unable to wrestle back as Littler defeated him 18-13 to become the World Matchplay champion for the first time.
He has now completed the Triple Crown in a stunning comeback, pinning double 19 to claim the Phil Taylor Trophy and etch his name further into darts history.
The 18-year-old finished with a 107 average for the final, a 105 average for the tournament, and broke the record for most 180s en route to glory. He banked a whopping £200,000 in addition, too.
But the earlier incident was not the first on final day that involved a spectator, as three people were ejected earlier in the day as they reportedly targeted Noa-Lynn van Leuven before her opening match in the women’s competition.
She is the first openly transgender player to compete in a televised darts tournament and won six titles on the PDC Women’s Series, but was the subject of protestors, one of which was said to be wearing a ‘Save Women’s Sport’ shirt.
Darts Now claim that the trio were removed as they tried to throw objects on the stage during her walk-on before taking on Lorraine Winstanley.