"It’s time to stop spending hundreds of pounds on darts and just play the game": Gary Anderson hits out at rise of so-called darts influencers

Gary Anderson has never been one to follow trends — and after his opening win at the 2026 World Masters, the two-time world champion made it abundantly clear that the rise of darts “influencers” is something he has little time for.

The Scot launched into a passionate and typically blunt critique of YouTube culture during his post-match media duties, insisting young players are better off spending their money on board time rather than online advice. This amid a rise of darting influencers especially with the marked rise of Luke Littler offering tips on YouTube and TikTok.

It has also seen dart prices massively rise in the shops with brands taking advantage of the popularity to create bespoke sets, something which Anderson isn't a fan of. He said that people need to stop spending so much money and just enjoy the darts after he saw off Niels Zonneveld in Milton Keynes. “I don’t do YouTube, but I’m watching — what do you call them? Influencers,” Anderson said. “How to play darts — I’ve never seen the bloke in my life. I’ve watched him play darts and he’s absolutely ****, so why watch him?

“Kids need to learn that you can go buy a set of darts — it costs you 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 quid. It’s time to stop spending hundreds of pounds on darts and just play the game.”

Asked directly about influencers, Anderson doubled down. “There’s my influencers — what a load of ****. Absolutely ****. How many times have you watched boys on YouTube, they look like a pro — who is he? Well, they’re actually pros. Oh yeah? And they actually know about darts, do they? For young kids, it ain’t good. Just let them play darts and enjoy it. Buy a £20 set of darts and enjoy your game of darts. End of. Easy.”

That trademark candour was on full display throughout Anderson’s media commitments, duties he admitted remain his least favourite part of the job. “I’m a darts player. I don’t need to sit here and talk to you lot,” he said. “That’s the only thing that p**** me off about this game. I’m not here to sit and talk and tell stories. When I do, I usually get into trouble. I just want to play darts.”

Despite the blunt delivery, Anderson had plenty to be pleased about on the oche, edging past Niels Zonneveld in a tough opening test at the World Masters — a performance he admitted came with a fair bit of rust. “I think the first leg came, they killed me off and I went all out,” he said. “But it’s the first time since the Worlds — sorry, the 6th of January. I was at Unicorn doing a bit of dart throwing on the 6th, so that was the last time. So yeah, I’m going to be a bit rusty.”

He also insisted his account of preparation was entirely truthful. “Yeah, yeah — I swear on my kids’ life, simple as that.”

Reflecting on his strong run at the World Championship, Anderson brushed aside any suggestion of momentum carrying into the new season.

“No. I sleep at night and I wake up in the morning and it’s all disappeared — can’t remember a thing,” he said. “That was the end of the year. This is a new year. I could have done a few ProTours to get kind of stuck into it, but straight to this. It can only get better, I hope.”

Now 56, Anderson made it clear he is no longer chasing rankings targets or ticking off career goals, including a return to the top four. “Not really,” he said. “I just chuck darts. I’m here to play darts and that’s it. I’m 56 this year and I still like playing darts, so that’s all I’m doing — playing darts.”

That mindset, he explained, removes pressure rather than ambition.

“When it doesn’t tick off, then you look like a right muppet, don’t you?” he said. “I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that — if it doesn’t happen, we’ll forget about that then. If you win, great. If I lose, great — I get to go home. That is a complete and absolute end of it.”

Anderson acknowledged Zonneveld’s growing presence on tour, noting the depth of talent across the circuit — even if he couldn’t quite remember every detail.

“He’d done well at the Worlds, didn’t he? Who did he play at the Worlds? Was it Michael? No — who did he play? I can’t remember,” he said, before correcting himself. “Michael Smith. All the boys are dangerous dart players now.”

The World Masters format itself also earned Anderson’s approval, with the short, sharp matches offering little margin for error. “It’s that — best of three. It’s a hard, hard game,” he said. “But yeah — love it.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming Players’ Championship events, Anderson struck a relaxed tone. “Little bit next week. A hill at a time. Yeah, yeah — I’ll be there,” he said, before adding with a grin: “Love the little town. Good noodles, good kebab house — it’s alright, I like that.”

As for confidence, Anderson admitted his form is still settling after a long road back. “I was up to there at the start of January, but I had to get downhill a bit,” he said. “It’s the start of the year — it’s a long, long road to go.”