Mitchell on lack of BDO World Darts Championship this year: "It's really sad, it was an iconic tournament"

There will be no BDO World Darts Championship this year after the demise of the organisation with former World Champion, Scott Mitchell describing it as 'sad' and 'devastating for the players'.

Mitchell who has since gone on to have a tilt at PDC Q-School and has starred on the Challenge Tour at times spoke to BBC South Today about the lack of the showpiece event for the first time since 1977.

"It's really sad," said Mitchell to BBC South Today.

"The BDO World Championship was an iconic tournament," he told BBC South Today. "It usually took place around the same weekend as the FA Cup third round and had become an institution for the British public to watch.

"When you tell people you play darts professionally and you say you've played at Lakeside, it's the same to darts as Wembley is to football.

"The place is still sat there and I hope one day darts and fans can return there on one of the tours."

In the end, the demise came after sparse crowds and issues with prize money which led to Wayne Warren only receiving £23,000 for winning the title.

"It was pretty devastating as some of the players couldn't cover their bills with the small amounts they ended up receiving," Mitchell added.

"Towards the end, a couple of television deals were lost and they became difficult to renegotiate.

"Without those and not being on mainstream television, it became very difficult to secure sponsorship to cover your expenses.

"We were very much the amateur side of things with how it ended up. It was very much hand-to-mouth and unfortunately, the hands eventually were empty."