Emma Paton takes the darts players to the athletics track: Luke Humphries sprints to first place, while Michael van Gerwen finishes at the back.

Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton is best known for her sharp analysis, but sometimes things can take a lighter turn. In a recent interview, she was given a rather unusual challenge: rank ten darts stars based on how they would fare in a 400-metre sprint. The result was a surprising and often hilarious list, with fitness and speed suddenly taking centre stage instead of averages and finishes.

Paton began with one of her personal favourites, Jonny Clayton. Despite her affection for the Welshman, she didn’t see him making much of an impression on the track. “Sorry Jonny, I don’t think you’re going to do very well over 400,” she laughed, slotting him straight in at sixth place.

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler fared a little better. Thanks to his power, Paton placed him just outside the podium positions at number four. Rob Cross, the former world champion, didn’t get much praise, with Paton bluntly putting him in at seven.

Chris Dobey drew more enthusiasm. “I think Dobs has got a bit about him actually,” she said, giving him the bronze spot in third. Stephen Bunting didn’t inspire the same confidence and was left in eighth.

When Luke Humphries’ name came up, Paton was decisive. “I’m going to put Humphries at one,” she said of the world number one, confident his fitness would carry him to the top. Fellow countryman Gerwyn Price, renowned for his athletic physique, was placed just behind in second.

Joe Cullen landed neatly in the middle at fifth, while Michael van Gerwen suffered a surprisingly low finish in ninth.

The biggest laugh came when Nathan Aspinall’s name appeared. “Oh my god, I can’t believe Nathan’s my 10. Sorry! Actually, maybe I would’ve put him first. Oops,” Paton admitted, giving her rankings a comedic twist.

Of course, this sprint showdown will never actually happen, but it showed how fans and pundits alike can have fun with the sport’s biggest names. What became clear was that Humphries and Price are seen as the most athletic, while the likes of Dobey and Littler shouldn’t be underestimated either. And one thing’s for sure: if a 400-metre dash ever did take place on the big stage, fans would be glued to it.