''I have no bloody idea why he’s said this” - Barry Hearn left bewildered after Vincent van der Voort calls him 'a terrible person'

Barry Hearn has responded to Vincent van der Voort's recent sneer at him. The former PDC chairman was first praised by the Dutch darter for his professional work, but the Dutchman had much less positive comments when it came to Hearn as a person.

Via the podcast Darts Draait Door, Van der Voort was asked the question of whether he was going to be waved off after his last match by Hearn, who was regularly criticized by "The Dutch Destroyer" during his time as chairman of the PDC. "I consider that chance very small. He's a great businessman. Really been an icon for the sport of darts, what he has put down. But as a person: there is no greater ashtray. On a personal level, I think he is a terrible person. In terms of business we could not have wished for a better one," Van der Voort said at the time.

These comments were presented to Hearn on The Barry Hearn Show, a podcast hosted by the British businessman. “I can honestly say I have no bloody idea why he’s said this,” responded a bewildered Hearn to Van der Voort's comments.

“I don't think I've spoken to Vincent for at least two or three years anyway. I appreciate he’s coming to the end of his career, and I wish him [the best], God bless, in anything he does," Hearn concluded, extending the olive branch to the Dutchman. “I think he earned over a million pounds on the tour during his time. So he's been very gracious about saying I was quite good at my job, which I think I would have to agree with. But we all have bad days. Vincent, enjoy your retirement and I shall fondly remember you as well. And I look forward to meeting you again quite soon.”