“He’d put the number under the letter B. B for ‘best in the world’” - Bobby George opens up about Michael van Gerwen’s pranks behind the scenes

According to former top darter Bobby George, Michael van Gerwen would have slotted effortlessly into the flamboyant darts world of the 1970s and 1980s. The Dutchman is praised by “The King of Bling” for his humour and character, although George says that sometimes came with some hefty antics behind the scenes.

George, himself a striking personality from darts’ heyday, sees in Van Gerwen a player who makes an impact not only on stage, but also brings color away from it. In an era when he played alongside icons such as Eric Bristow and John Lowe, it was not only about results, but also about personality.

According to George, Van Gerwen has those same traits. “Very humorous sort of lad,” he tells Winmau. “He really has that kind of character that used to be in darts.”

One of the anecdotes George shares, he says, perfectly illustrates what Van Gerwen is like. What began as a simple request for a phone number quickly took a playful turn. “Michael said to me: ‘Grandad, I’ll give you my new number.’ I said alright and gave him the phone,” said George. “Two weeks later he said: ‘You never phoned me Grandad.’” The explanation was typical Van Gerwen. “He’d put the number under the letter B. B for ‘best in the world’. Well, you’re not going to find him then.”

It didn’t stop there, according to George. The Dutchman wasn’t averse to a practical joke, even if it landed him in a tricky spot with George’s wife.

“My wife didn’t like me smoking, but I have a cunning fag see,” George says. “Michael said: ‘Grandad, have a fag, come outside with me.’”

What followed was a classic example of Van Gerwen’s sense of humour. "He lit the cigarette and started chatting. Later I went back inside. But he had filmed me while I was smoking and showed it to my wife. She immediately said: ‘You smoked today!’” George can laugh about it now, but admits it got him into trouble at the time.

Van Gerwen also found other moments to pull his pranks. George recalls how he was even locked in once. “There was a passage to the outside because of the crowds. He locked the door so I couldn’t get back in,” he said. “Those are the kinds of things—typical Michael.”

Even during practice, Van Gerwen wouldn’t sit still, he says. “I picked up my darts and started throwing. Turned out he had swapped my flights with his. I didn’t even notice.”

For George, it’s precisely those traits that make Van Gerwen so special. In his view, the Dutchman is not only an elite athlete, but also an entertainer who brings darts to life. “He can adapt anywhere,” he concluded. “I think he would have fit in perfectly with the players of the past. He’s just got a great character.”