"I’ve got one of them personalities where it just looks like I’m not trying in a way": Ricky Evans responds to Wayne Mardle calling him unprofessional

When you say Ricky Evans, you say speed, showmanship, and emotion. The Englishman has been one of the most recognisable figures on the PDC circuit for years. Not necessarily because of a trophy cabinet full of titles, but for his outspoken personality, colourful walk-ons, and ability to get a crowd moving. Yet the recent World Darts Championship once again summed up his career so far: highs, disappointment, emotion, and self-reflection.

There is positive news off the oche. Evans has extended his partnership with management agency MDA, led by Matt Ward — a collaboration that began during the COVID pandemic and has continued ever since.

“Yeah, since it started, I think, yeah. So, again, great to work with. Obviously, it’s always good to get your management things sorted out. It gives you a good platform to kick on,” Evans said to Oche. “I know it’s very biased to say, but he’s one of the best as well. Well, it’s good for me. So yeah, I’m just looking forward to the year now. He does his job. Hopefully I could do my job and get to where we belong.”

That stability is valuable for a player whose every move is often under scrutiny. The recent World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace was another rollercoaster. Evans produced a high-quality performance to beat James Wade in the second round, with the crowd firmly behind him, before bowing out to Charlie Manby in the last 32. It was not just the defeat, but the manner of it, that sparked widespread discussion.

“Every year I do it. Every year I get like a win as the underdog. I seem to deliver and then I always seem to capitulate,” Evans reflected. “This year I showed my emotions a bit too much at the end. I showed, yeah, a bit too much. I let my injury and body go and I should have just kept it behind closed doors in a way.”

He added: “Like I said, I beat James Wade in a very good game, played to a good standard. And then, yeah, as soon as I got to the favourite tag again, it just… yeah, that last 32 stage again, there’s some kind of mental block there. But, yeah, on the whole, I’m positive.”

The defeat hit hard enough for Evans to deliberately step away from darts altogether.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in because I haven’t really watched it back. I haven’t really played much darts since,” he admitted. “So next week, obviously, Milton Keynes will be the first event back. I kind of had a couple of weeks away from darts after that because, yeah, it really did annoy me personally.”

Evans’s visible reaction on stage at Ally Pally was shaped by multiple factors: the loss of his sister, ongoing physical issues, and his mother’s presence in the crowd.

“I think it was just everything got to me,” he said. “The darts weren’t going where I wanted them to and I think I just, the emotions just let out.”

He was keen to clarify that his body language was not about indifference or giving up.

“It looked like I did, but it was the same way I threw against Luke Woodhouse at the Grand Slam and I won that game,” Evans explained. “So it does work like when I throw like that sometimes. But, yeah, my attitude and my body language at the end wasn’t the best. I’ll be honest with that.”

The desire to win may have worked against him. “I think I wanted to win too much maybe. And, yeah, a few tears were shed that evening,” he said. “But it’s one of them things. It means everything to me. This is what I’m good at.”

Evans accepts that wearing his heart on his sleeve is part of who he is.

“If things aren’t going well, I wear my heart on my sleeve. You know when I’ve hit a good score, you know when I’ve hit a bad score. That’s Ricky Evans,” he said. “But I probably need to rein that in a bit.”

Comments from analyst Wayne Mardle, who described Evans’s behaviour as unprofessional, intensified the scrutiny. Evans understands why it appeared that way.

“Yeah, of course, because it’s just I’ve got one of them throws. I’ve got one of them personalities where it just looks like I’m not trying in a way,” he said. “But when they’re going, like I said, I did it at the Grand Slam and I won the game. So it does work.”

Still, he knows improvement is needed. “I just have to grow up and grow up. Just learn how to lose with dignity,” Evans said. “But that’s life. Hopefully we can get that sorted this year and we can get the happy Ricky and smiley again.”

Online criticism followed, something he takes on the chin. “I did get a bit of hate online and probably so in a way,” he said. “But there we go. We move on.”

Despite never having won a major title, Evans remains one of the most popular players on tour.

“For someone that’s never won nothing, I’ve got one of the biggest fan bases in the world,” he said. “I’m not going to go full Bunting on everyone, but it’s brilliant. I can’t thank them enough.”

Entertaining the crowd is central to his identity. “I love showing. I love making people laugh. That is my goal in life,” Evans explained. “There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the world these days. So if one silly darts player can make you smile on a walk-on or because of a big checkout, then let that be me.”

Far from adding pressure, the support energises him. “I class myself as a big show-off,” he laughed. “Keep cheering me on because I’m just going to keep coming up with these silly ideas and walk-ons. Because that’s who I am.”

Although ranked world number 40, Evans still believes he belongs higher.

“I always think my dedication is there,” he said. “I’ve played more darts than probably 80–90% of the tour. Maybe that could be the reason. Maybe I need to cut down. I don’t know. If anyone’s got the answer, I’ll pay them some good money.”

A familiar pattern continues to frustrate him.

“As horrible as it sounds, I play a lesser name, someone you think, OK, that’s a nicer draw, and then you lose,” Evans said. “Just give me Rob Cross or Damon Heta. Maybe I need to be an underdog in every game. I love it. I’ve got no fear.”

Evans remains realistic about his standing when it comes to Premier League Darts.

“I’m not good enough,” he said candidly. “I’ve got the odd hundred average in me, but they do it every week, them boys.”

Still, he knows exactly what he would bring. “My music and walk-ons would certainly liven it up and we’d have a bit of fun on it,” Evans smiled. “I think I’d put bums on seats.”

Away from darts, Evans has found new stability through his relationship.

“I was going through a bad time,” he said. “I’ve lost one best friend and I’ve got another one now. So it’s lovely.”

It has given him fresh motivation. “I’ve got something to play for now,” Evans explained. “Obviously, I’m never going to live at home with my dad all the time. I can move out maybe one day and start a life with her. That’s the goal.”

His mother’s presence at Ally Pally produced one of the tournament’s most emotional moments. “Oh, she loved it,” Evans said. “It’s still the gravy rant. That’s the one. That’s what still gets spoke about.”

Even sponsors joined in, with Fray Bentos sending him pies and merchandise. “Yeah, I got some pies and a jumper,” he laughed. “So, yeah, it’s lovely.”

And as for his aim for the year ahead? “Different gravy is certainly what I want to be.”