(INTERVIEW) Boulton on origins of X-Factor nickname: “Getting me to perform ‘Sweet Caroline’ on the Lakeside stage played a big part”

Andy Boulton will be part of the field for this weekend’s International Darts Open in Riesa after qualifying in the back end of the 2021 season before the last European Tour events were cancelled and for X-Factor, he is raring to go ahead of the return of the so-called ‘mini-majors’.

“Very much looking forward to getting back to the European Tour! It’s been a long time since I actually qualified for this one and here’s hoping it’s worth the wait. The enthusiasm the fans in Germany etc have towards the game, makes for a great atmosphere wherever we go and as a player these are the things, we have missed the most over the last couple of seasons,” he said to DartsNews.com.

It has been a steady start to the season for Boulton and he believes getting some luck on his side will help in regards to taking the next step and translating more close defeats to wins.

“I am very pleased with my performances so far this season although a little disappointed that I haven’t picked up a few more wins. When you have played the game for as long as I have you know that now and again you need a bit of the ‘rub of the green’. If I can keep playing as I have started then hopefully there’s a few good runs just around the corner.”

Nathan Aspinall who is close friends with Boulton suffered an injury which hasn’t seen him back yet this season and both on and off the oche as someone who knows him well, he sees it not being certain but that in his eyes he will return to the top.

“Nathan has definitely had a tough start to the year, but after some treatment to his injury, he is definitely moving in the right direction. As with most advice in this game it’s all about how he approaches his return mentally,” he continued.

“There are no guarantees in this game and he knows he is the only one that can put things right to get the results he wants. He is still only a youngster in the game and I have no doubt he will literally ‘bounce’ back stronger than ever. He also knows he has the support around him to help him every step of the way.”

Known for his nickname of X-Factor and walking on also to Juicy Wiggle by Redfoo, formerly of duo, LMFAO – Boulton spoke of the story of the nickname and its origins as well as his signature walk on tune.

“When I started in the game, I actually was more interested in becoming an MC/Referee and I did this at County matches for Staffordshire and Cheshire, later moving onto exhibitions etc. When I got selected to play for Cheshire, I would still MC and in between games and after matches sometimes get everyone to have a singalong. This coincided with the X-Factor starting on tv and the nickname came about.”

“Also getting me to perform ‘Sweet Caroline’ on the Lakeside stage played a big part in making the nickname stick! When I moved over to the PDC I was asked to change my walk on song. When I was at work one day on came Juicy Wiggle and my work mate said that this would work for me. He then went onto mention that I do a ‘shimmy’ sometimes when I clock a big finish and this could now be known as my wiggle!”

“However now I have added a few pounds, it’s become a ‘Juicy Wiggle!” he joked.