BACK IN THE DAY with Tomas “Shorty” Seyler: The German darts pioneer who made history and left us far too soon
PDCMonday, 24 August 2026 at 20:00
Anyone exploring the history of German darts and going back in the day cannot overlook Tomas “Shorty” Seyler. He was the first German at a PDC World Darts Championship, a three-time German champion, and later one of the sport’s most familiar voices. Together with Elmar Paulke, he shaped an entire generation of German darts fans. Seyler passed away far too soon in July 2024 at just 49 years of age.
ADVERTISEMENT
In our Back in the Day series, we regularly look back on the careers of standout figures in darts. This time it is about a man without whom the development of German darts is hardly imaginable: Tomas “Shorty” Seyler.
From nine-year-old talent to German top player
Tomas Seyler was born on 16.07.1974 in Bremerhaven. Inspired by his father, he began playing darts at the age of nine. In the early 1990s his name first appeared on the international stage.
In 1993, Seyler played the Dutch Open and reached the last 16 at the first attempt. At the World Masters he made the last 64 in both 1999 and 2000. He was increasingly making a name for himself at other international tournaments as well.
In 2000, Seyler reached the final of the Dortmund Open. At the WDF World Cup 2001 he advanced to the last 32. His TV debut followed in 2003 on the big stage: at the World Masters, “Shorty” met none other than Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16.
By then, Seyler was firmly among Germany’s elite. He had already won his first German championship in 2001 at the age of 27. He repeated the feat in 2003 and 2004, sealing a hat-trick of German titles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Historic triumph with Andree Welge at the Dutch Open
One of the biggest wins of his career came in 2004 alongside his close friend Andree Welge. The German duo took the pairs title at the prestigious Dutch Open.
Seyler and Welge prevailed in the final, delivering a landmark success for Germany. To this day, the triumph holds a special place in German darts history, with no other German pair managing to repeat it. Among the past winners in pairs was Raymond van Barneveld.
In these years, Seyler cemented himself as one of the defining figures in German darts. He led the German Darts Association rankings for long stretches. In 2005, he also lifted the German Gold Cup for the first time. Yet this very status soon forced a decision that would fundamentally change the course of his career.
The 2006 PDC World Darts Championship changes Seyler’s career
ADVERTISEMENT
As Germany’s long-standing number one, Seyler received an invitation to the PDC World Darts Championship 2006 at the Circus Tavern, alongside Andree Welge. The problem: at the time, Seyler played exclusively within the BDO system. There were significant tensions between the darting bodies back then.
Seyler therefore first wanted to know what consequences a PDC appearance would have. After checking with the relevant associations, he was told that a one-off Worlds appearance would not lead to a ban.
So “Shorty” travelled to England—and wrote German darts history.
Seyler became the first German to compete at a PDC World Darts Championship. He even won his debut against Scotsman Jamie Harvey convincingly, 3–0 in sets. That took him into round two, where he faced the then world number four, Roland Scholten.
Seyler pushed the Dutchman hard but eventually lost 2–4. On the oche, his foray into the PDC had paid off. Away from it, however, a nasty surprise was waiting.
ADVERTISEMENT
365-day ban—and the definitive move to the PDC
Contrary to prior assurances, Seyler was suspended from BDO events for 365 days after his appearance. He was then advised to write a letter to the BDO president at the time to apologise and request reinstatement.
For Seyler, that was out of the question.
Instead, he chose to continue his path with the PDC. It was not a simple switch. Seyler later described how tough he found adapting to the new competitive environment.
In 2007, he qualified again for the PDC World Darts Championship. This time, however, he exited in round one. The German lost to then world-class player Colin Lloyd.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2008, Seyler reached a last 16 on the Pro Tour. At the same time, life away from darts demanded a lot. Together with his partner, he opened the “Nostalgie” pub, which pushed the sport temporarily into the background.
During this phase, Seyler focused more on the GDC Tour, the forerunner of today’s PDC Europe.
First World Championship at Ally Pally and clash with Michael van Gerwen
In 2009, Seyler booked his third PDC World Darts Championship via the German Darts Qualifier. It was also his first Worlds appearance at Alexandra Palace.
There he faced Jan van der Rassel in the preliminary round. The Dutchman won 4:1 and ended Seyler’s Worlds campaign early.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the European stage, however, “Shorty” remained a fixture. In 2010 he qualified for the European Championship and met Michael van Gerwen in round one. Against the future three-time world champion, Seyler pushed him close but ultimately lost 4:6.
Two years later, Seyler was back on the PDC Europe showpiece stage. This time Wes Newton caught him cold and ran out a 6:0 winner.
Seyler did celebrate another major domestic success in 2012. Seven years after his first triumph, he won the German Gold Cup for a second time. In the final he defeated the Dutchman Geert de Vos.
Tour Card and fourth PDC World Darts Championship appearance
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2013, Seyler stepped up his schedule on the PDC Tour again. Early in 2014 came the next big step. At Q-School, the German won a Tour Card, securing PDC pro status for two years.
Seyler also returned to the sport’s biggest stage at the 2014 PDC World Darts Championship. The opener brought a very awkward opponent in Kevin Painter. The Englishman won comfortably, 3:0.
At the start of 2016, Seyler eventually lost his Tour Card. A direct attempt to regain it at Q-School was unsuccessful. After that, “Shorty” faded increasingly from the competitive spotlight.
His last TV appearance as a player came back in 2015 at the International Darts Open. In 2020 he took another shot at Q-School but was unable to win a new Tour Card.
By then, the German darts audience knew Seyler as far more than just a player.
ADVERTISEMENT
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2007 | Round 2 | Roland Scholten | 2-4 |
| 2008 | Round 1 | Colin Loyd | 0-3 |
| 2010 | Preliminary round | Jan van der Rassel | 1-4 |
| 2014 | Round 1 | Kevin Painter | 0-3 |
From pioneer on the oche to cult voice on Sport1
During his active career, Seyler began a second path that would significantly raise his profile in Germany. From 2006, he worked intermittently as an expert on Sport1.
There, for years he formed one of Germany’s best-known commentary duos alongside commentator Elmar Paulke. Especially for many fans who grew up with the Worlds on Sport1 in the 2000s and early 2010s, Paulke and Seyler became inseparable from the tournament.
The two first met in Halle Westfalen. Paulke noticed Seyler there as he loudly cheered on his friend Andree Welge. From that came the chance to work on television as a co-commentator.
Seyler brought something you can hardly manufacture: immense passion for the sport and decades of experience on the oche.
“I didn’t need to learn to feel passion for my darts. I’ve got that in abundance,” Seyler later wrote in retrospect.
His style differed clearly from classic TV pundits. Seyler said what he thought. He didn’t try to be a polished TV persona, but talked about darts the way he experienced the sport himself.
That, precisely, made him unmistakable for many viewers.
“I love darts!” – a heartfelt project that fell through
How much German darts meant to Seyler also showed away from his Sport1 work. By his own account, he wanted to use his profile to give organised German darts a bigger platform.
Seyler worked on a project between a free-to-air TV channel and his former federation, the DDV. The idea was clear: committed players should gain more exposure and ideally attract new backers and sponsors.
During negotiations, the then federation president asked why he wanted to help at all. Seyler’s answer could not have been simpler: “I love darts!”
According to Seyler, talks were already well advanced. He even began concrete planning for potential TV broadcasts. It covered camera positions, power supply, walk-ons, and where to park an OB van. Then the project collapsed. Seyler says he received word that the DDV would withdraw from the contract. He said he was given no explanation. The disappointment still ran deep years later.
Farewell to Sport1 and the call from Rowby-John Rodriguez
Over the years, the partnership between Seyler and Sport1 turned into a kind of on-off relationship. From 2006 to 2018, “Shorty” was part of the channel’s darts team, with breaks in between.
He eventually chose to go a different way. When his new projects failed to develop as hoped, he certainly harbored hopes of a return.
His phone did ring — but it wasn’t Sport1 on the other end.
Instead, Austrian Rowby-John Rodriguez got in touch. He had received an inquiry from Sport1 and wanted to know from Seyler how the work at the channel operated. For “Shorty,” it was clear his former spot was set to go elsewhere.
Despite his personal disappointment, he advised Rodriguez to take the job and wished him success. At the same time, Seyler had to accept that his chapter at Sport1 was over for the time being.
Reunion with Elmar Paulke on DAZN
After much of Germany’s darts coverage moved to DAZN and Elmar Paulke also made the switch, the calls for a reunion of the cult duo grew louder.
It finally happened in 2019. Seyler and Paulke were back on commentary together, reviving a piece of the old Sport1 era for many viewers.
In April 2020 they also launched the podcast “Game on”. In the very first episode, Seyler described his role in typically self-deprecating fashion.
“I’m a passionate hobby chatterbox, and I still am today, and now I’ll try to feel my way in a bit to see whether all these wild thoughts blowing into people’s ears might take root somewhere and make you want to tune in to the podcast from time to time.”
The line captured Seyler’s public persona perfectly. He could drift into completely different worlds of thought in seconds. At the same time, he possessed a depth of darts knowledge that few could match.
During the 2022 World Darts Championship, however, there was a break between Seyler, Paulke, and DAZN. The long-standing commentary duo was no longer heard together afterwards. Seyler’s joint podcast project with Paulke also came to an end.
Shortleg, his own darts brand, and even a darts song
Seyler remained closely connected to the German darts scene regardless. For years he appeared regularly as an expert on the Shortleg podcast and also turned his great passion into business.
From 2021, he ran Shorty-Merch UG in Bremen with a business partner. The company focused on sporting goods as well as darts accessories and darts apparel. Among other items, they offer shirts from players like Ricardo Pietreczko and Arno Merk.
The brand continued even after Seyler’s death.
His versatility had shown itself in unusual fashion a few years earlier. Together with Rick Arena, Seyler produced the 2017 darts song “Taylor-Wonderland.”
Whether as player, commentator, podcast pundit, or businessman: darts remained the common thread in Seyler’s life.
Sudden death at just 49
On 29.06.2024, Tomas Seyler collapsed and was taken to hospital. Only a few days later came the news that shook the German darts scene.
On 11.07.2024, “Shorty” passed away at just 49. The reactions showed how highly Seyler was regarded within German darts. Companions, players, and fans publicly bid farewell to a man who had shaped the sport’s development in Germany for decades.
Just days after Seyler’s death, his long-time companion Elmar Paulke was, of all people, back on the mic. At the start of the broadcast, he remembered his former colleague and friend. “Someone who would have loved to be here live at this tournament can sadly no longer do so these days. Tomas ‘Shorty Schleifstein’ Seyler sadly passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Thursday. A piece of news that has shaken us all.”
Paulke also recalled Seyler’s historical significance as a player. “He who so loved the sport of darts. Shorty was the first German to compete at a World Championship, with his mate Andree Welge. I get goosebumps when I say that.”
The experienced commentator’s voice broke several times. Co-commentator at the time and former pro Robert Marijanovic also shared his memories of Seyler.
“Everyone who’s around the darts scene knows him and knows what a name, what a character he is. He never had to introduce himself — everyone knew him. I’m in shock. At 49, he left us far too soon.”
“He had a great love for the game”
Before Paulke moved on to the action, he addressed a few final words to his long-standing companion. “I’ve often read the lines that he was one of the pioneers in German darts. That’s true. He walked the whole path. He had a great love for the game.”
Germany’s top players also spoke up after Seyler’s passing. Paulke mentioned Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler among others, before closing his tribute with a personal farewell: “Dear Shorty, these moments are for you.”
Few lines could better capture Seyler’s significance for German darts. He belonged to a generation that paved the way long before German pros appeared regularly on the PDC’s biggest stages.
He was German champion, Dutch Open pairs winner, Tour Card holder, and the first German at a PDC World Darts Championship. Later he brought the sport into living rooms as a TV expert for a growing audience. After his death, the DDV inducted him into its Hall of Fame. Above all, Tomas “Shorty” Seyler lived and breathed darts. That is why his name will remain a fixture of German darts history long after his far too early death.
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
- I'd happily pay for a site free of Van der Voort's every squeak and utterance.StraightArrowNoBull19-08-2026
- I think you miss the point. It is just a poll if you are willing to pay for an ad-free site. The content stays free.SheGotLegs16-08-2026
- It's great to see Mark Webster looking well,he's a top ladrick6715-08-2026
- I'm sick of everything wanting paying for ad free stuff,every site you go on,it's pay pay for no ads. I mostly dread picking my phone up,as it's subscription required. I'm not surprised I'm bloody skint. Everyone wants to rob you for services that were freerick6714-08-2026
- I didn't like the bloke,but he was a real wind up merchant. His talent is wastedrick6712-08-2026
- He wouldn't get a tour card if there was a million on it
Amusementman09-08-2026 - This gormless, dull as dishwater nobody hasn't done anything this year and has absolutely no right to be considered for anything other than checking people's tickets on entry and it is likely he couldn't cope with that.richieburnettrocks09-08-2026
- How can PDC players play in streamed events?medinabello04-08-2026
Loading