Ahead of Q-School starting tomorrow in Wigan and Hildesheim, Dartsnews.com caught up with 'The Assassin' Martin Atkins who will be making his debut in Wigan and will be one of many trying to win a coveted place on the PDC tour.
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He was one of the first to sign up for Q-School and one of the first to switch from the BDO, an organisation he had competed for since 2002 and in this short interview we speak about his beginnings in darts, Q-School and his aims if he does get a tour card.
Q. Thank you for accepting to do this interview Martin, first of all how did you get into playing darts growing up?
'I played darts at home with my dad at a young age then joined the local WMC team when i was 17'.
Q. You are known as The Assassin, how did that name come about and was it you or someone close to you that came up with it?
'The name Assassin came about when i made the TV rounds of the World Masters. I was going up the stairs to the practice room when a guy I knew vaguely at the time shouted out go on the Yorkshire Assassin. Martin Fitzmaurice was testing the microphone on stage and called me on stage later for my game as the Yorkshire Assassin. I am now good friends with the guy who's also from Leeds Rich Winpenny.'
'The name Assassin came about when i made the TV rounds of the World Masters. I was going up the stairs to the practice room when a guy I knew vaguely at the time shouted out go on the Yorkshire Assassin. Martin Fitzmaurice was testing the microphone on stage and called me on stage later for my game as the Yorkshire Assassin. I am now good friends with the guy who's also from Leeds Rich Winpenny.'
Q. You will be taking part in Q-School for the first time this month, what are your thoughts on your chances and what made you make the decision to move over?
'I am going into Q school with an open mind I am expecting it to be tough to get a Tour Card as there are so many good players out there. I'm looking forward to the Challenge. I'm playing well and my self belief is good so hopefully I can achieve my goal of a Tour Card. As for making the switch over the last couple of years I became very disillusioned with the BDO with promises of events not happening, poor promotion of events that did happen, rule changes mid season and generally not moving forward although having enjoyed playing in the BDO for many years I felt I needed a change.'
Q. Speaking of Q-School it was recently announced that entry fees will be abolished next year, what do you make of that and do you think it will entice more players to move over from the BDO?
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'The announcement of no entry fees if you get a tour card is sure to attract more BDO players and other players also as the majority of the events are in the UK. It makes it far more affordable with big rewards compared to the BDO where travelling is all over Europe with not much reward in terms of prize money.'
Q. You have played for England before, how is it to represent your country internationally and would you say it ranks up there in terms of personal achievements?
'I have played for England many times and had the pleasure of winning the World Cup with England and yes it is up there with my personal achievements I was very proud to play for my country.'
Q. Finally if best case scenario you get your tour card, what are your ambitions on the PDC tour next year now you've moved over?
'If I get a tour card my ambitions are to climb the rankings and try qualify for the TV events I would love to play in the Matchplay at Blackpool and the World Championship at Ally Aally as the atmosphere looks amazing'.
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Interview conducted by Samuel Gill, writer for Dartsnews.com
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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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- 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
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- Not even slightly interestedrick6730-10-2026
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