Paul Booth after becoming new BDO Master of Ceremonies: ‘It’s most definitely the start of a new era’
BDO
Paul Booth became the new BDO Master of Ceremonies replacing Richard Ashdown recently as a brand new team was unveiled by chairman, Des Jacklin.
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Booth recently caught up with Dartsnews.com and he said he was over the moon with the appointment. He also called the role iconic; as well as one he wants to give his all.
‘I’m over the moon with the appointment. I’ve had so many messages from well wishers including many players and officials from both the BDO and the PDC; to learn nearly a hundred people put themselves forward for the role and to be handed such an iconic position is brilliant,
‘I’m looking forward to giving it my full 180% and hopefully making many new friends along the way.’
Potential new era in BDO
When asked whether he believes it is a new era in BDO darts, Booth believes it is but that fans have to give it some time; especially with changes to the venues including Lakeside.
‘Darts fans have to give the new regime their full support and a chance to show what plans lie ahead for the BDO; it’s most definitely the start of a new era, yes.
‘There is obviously reasons behind switching to the O2 and the Circus Tavern; listening to the Chairman its exciting times ahead and I’m so looking forward to being a part of those future plans.’
Exhibition Memories
The Blackburn native is one of the best known MC’s on the exhibition circuit; he gave just some of his memories.
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‘I tell everybody I have the best job in the world, Oh wow, where do I start.’
‘The most amazing scoring game head to head between Raymond Van Barneveld & Adrian Lewis; Ronnie Baxter throwing 2 Bullseyes through a blank piece of paper.
‘The legends nights are my favourites, they such characters with great stories; Peter Manley and Tony O’Shea are such gents, Wolfie and his many sets of variety Darts he uses in one leg; Keith Deller and John Lowe’s celebrity tales; and of course the many stories of my great friend Eric Bristow.’
Des Jacklin
The chairman has begun his tenure with criticism; but Booth said that he wants to steer the BDO in the right direction.
He added that he sat down with him for two hours and enjoyed his honesty; as well as that he can’t wait to work with him starting at the World Trophy.
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‘Des is a straight talking successful businessman who is passionate and needs a chance to move things in the direction he’s wanting to steer the BDO,
‘I sat down with him for two hours and loved his honesty, I’m looking forward to working with him and meeting my new colleagues later this month; fresh faces, fresh voices who have earned their right for their chance,
‘I’ve worked with John a couple of times on the circuit already; I think the appointment of Kerrie to referee the female games is a master stroke.’
World Trophy
Being from Blackburn, Booth finally said that he can’t wait to get started and urged fans to get behind Des and the team.
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‘It couldn’t have been placed any better for me. King George’s Hall is a fabulous iconic venue which has played host to some of the greatest names in entertainment; I’ll know many familiar faces from both the Blackburn and North West Darts scene.
‘It’ll be great to make my debut as BDO MC in front of many people I know; and to an audience on Eurosport as far away as Australia.
‘Darts fans can hopefully collectively get behind Des and the team on the committee and take the BDO to where it belongs; I’m so looking forward to the great challenge ahead.’
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026
- Fair play to Fallon. But...shows the mockery when a professional players wins what was meant to be an amateur v Pro event, Littlers performance was poor, and what about the players who didn't get a game? Would have been better if the pot was split amoungst all the winners and they all got a leg.BandB31-10-2026
- Not even slightly interestedrick6730-10-2026
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- No point in being there? Champions want to win.Deduce635828-10-2026