"I’d like to buy next door’s bungalow and expand the garden": Andrew Gilding names £1million prize money purchase without neighbours knowing plan

Andrew Gilding admitted he was left surprised after booking his place in the next round of the 2026 World Darts Championship, insisting that his opponent Cam Crabtree never quite found his best form on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Gilding averaged 97.9 and hit an incredible 161 checkout to overcome the debutant who shone on the Development Tour and also at times at the Grand Slam of Darts but he faltered on his PDC World Darts Championship debut.

“Surprised, actually,” Gilding said when asked how he felt after the win. “Cam didn’t play as well as he could.”

Despite that assessment, Gilding was quick to acknowledge the quality of the young challenger and suggested that experience may have played a decisive role on the night. Facing Crabtree on the sport’s biggest stage, Gilding felt the occasion may have told. “It seems like it, doesn’t it?” he said. “It seemed like he got a little bit nervous up there. I don’t know, but that was his first time on the stage and definitely my seventh time. I’ve got over the nerves somewhat.”

That experience continues to serve Gilding well under the bright lights. A World Matchplay quarter-finalist earlier in the year, he remains at ease on the sport’s biggest platforms and admitted he thrives on the atmosphere. “That’s pretty great, actually,” he said. “There’s something about the atmosphere. I used to say the Matchplay was the loudest venue, but it seems to be louder here.”

Having previously reached the last 32 at Alexandra Palace, Gilding is keen to push deeper into the tournament, though his outlook remains typically measured. “I’ll take it one game at a time,” he said. “I always do.”

That grounded approach has helped turn Gilding into something of a cult hero at Ally Pally, where the crowd once again rose to their feet. Asked what brings out the best in him with the fans behind him, he shrugged off the praise. “I don’t know, really,” he said. “Probably because they know I’m a bit of an imposter. I’m just a normal bloke who gets up there and plays.”

When reminded of his previous televised success, including his memorable UK Open triumph, Gilding reflected honestly on the ups and downs of his career. “Who knows?” he said when asked how close he is to rediscovering that form. “I’ve had dips in my form before. Eight or nine years ago I got to a semi-final of the UK Open and then had a big dip, and then I came back again a few years ago. Who knows what’s going to happen?”

The lure of a second TV title is clear, but one prize in particular stands out above the rest. “This one,” Gilding said. “Anyone would do, but this one would mean a million quid.”

That life-changing figure inevitably prompted thoughts of what he might do with the money. Gilding revealed, with a smile, a very down-to-earth ambition. “I’d like to—well, they don’t know about it—but I’d like to buy next door’s bungalow and expand the garden.” Asked whether his neighbours were aware of the plan, he laughed: “No, of course not. I haven’t got the money to tell them that.”

Beyond the humour, Gilding spoke candidly about what financial security would mean to him. “That would be security in my old age,” he said, explaining one of the key reasons he continues to compete. “I was a bit of a late starter, so I didn’t really invest in a pension or anything. I’ve got to keep going, otherwise I’m stuffed, really.”

From a performance perspective, Gilding admitted he surprised himself with the numbers he posted against Crabtree. “I just looked at the average and the checkout percentage, and that surprised me,” he said. “Like I keep saying, Cam didn’t play as well as he could. With his form this year, he’s definitely someone I didn’t want to draw.”

Looking back on his 2025 season as a whole, Gilding felt it was stronger than it perhaps appeared at first glance. “Not quite as good as before,” he admitted, “but when I look back on it I got to a European Tour final and the quarter-finals of the Matchplay again, so I can’t really grumble.”

Attention will soon turn to his next opponent, with Chris Dobey or Xiaochen Zong waiting in the wings. Gilding made no secret of who he would relish facing. “I think I owe Chris one,” he said. “I think he’s beaten me quite recently. He’s obviously a hot favourite, so I’d like to beat him.”

Expanding on that, Gilding acknowledged Dobey’s status despite their shared major titles. “He was the hot favourite for his first-round game,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve beaten him recently, so I definitely owe him one.”

Asked to reflect on how far the sport has come, Gilding admitted he never imagined playing for such huge sums when he first picked up darts. “No, no,” he said. “When I started playing—15 years ago or something like that—darts wasn’t quite as big. Then Luke Littler came along and suddenly everyone wants to play darts. It’s even surpassed what it was in the 80s.”

While the influx of young talent excites him, Gilding joked that it presents a challenge for the established names. “It’s great for the sport,” he said. “Not so good for us oldies. There are loads of youngsters on the rise now, but it gives us a chance to win a few more quid, so that’s good.”

Despite his popularity with the crowd, Gilding was reluctant to label himself a showman. “I wouldn’t say so,” he insisted. “I don’t thump my chest every time I hit a 180.” Still, his now-famous thumb gesture has become a fan favourite. “I don’t know where the thumb came from,” he said. “It’s just a natural thing. It’s become a thing for me now, so everyone says I should start selling foam thumbs.”

Gilding’s reputation within the field is also growing. Asked whether he is now a player others might want to avoid in the draw, he smiled. “I think Michael van Gerwen once called me the assassin,” he said. “So I hope I’m someone that people fear.”

Assessing his current form compared to the player who lifted the UK Open trophy, Gilding was characteristically honest. “I’m always hot and cold,” he said. “At the moment I feel pretty good. I’ve had light duties for the last three weeks since the Players Championship, got some energy back, and things feel like they’re going well.”

The conversation ended on a lighter note, with Gilding once again addressing his ‘Goldfinger’ nickname and long-standing wish to walk on to the iconic Bond theme. “That would be fantastic,” he said. “I haven’t lodged anything. Ian White wanted to walk on to Diamonds Are Forever as well. I used to come on to Shirley Bassey at county level, and there’s nothing quite like the horns at the start to get the crowd going. I wish that could happen.”