“He’s left looking ridiculous” – Microphone chaos disrupts Premier League Darts semi-final in Aberdeen

It was supposed to be one of the standout matches of the evening on Night 13 of the 2026 Premier League Darts. Instead, the semi-final between Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price briefly descended into confusion before it had even settled.

Referee Huw Ware found himself at the centre of the disruption as repeated microphone issues left players throwing without audible scoring, forcing an early reset on in Aberdeen. The pair had already begun, but with no sound reaching the arena or broadcast, those opening darts were wiped and the match restarted once a working microphone was introduced.

A wired microphone quickly got things moving again, but the problems did not end there. At the close of the opening leg, further changes were taking place beside the board, with Ware again switching equipment mid-flow. The rhythm of the match was broken repeatedly, and the referee’s frustration was clear as he handed back faulty gear.

“He’s left looking ridiculous,” said fellow official Marco Meijer from the Viaplay studio. “The only thing that has to work for a referee is his sound, and that’s not working.”

For a brief spell, the spotlight shifted away from the players and onto the production.

The contest ultimately turned into a one-sided affair. Luke Littler closed out a 6-1 victory to book his place in the final, brushing aside both the opponent in front of him and the unusual circumstances that had delayed the match, before going on to defeat Luke Humphries later in the evening to claim the nightly win and return to the top of the Premier League table.

For Huw Ware, the night was less straightforward. While the issues were eventually resolved and the match completed without further incident, the early disruption ensured he remained an unexpected talking point.

Even in a competition as polished as the Premier League, moments like this stand out. Not because they change results, but because they briefly shift attention away from the players and onto everything that is expected to run seamlessly in the background.