John Part maps out the ideal darts night: “My dream match would be Eric Bristow against Luke Littler”

Former world champion John Part has offered a glimpse of what his perfect night as a darts fan would look like. The Canadian, who stood on the biggest stage for years himself, opts strikingly not for luxury names from the same generation, but for an intriguing clash between past and present.

In a conversation with Sky Sports, Part shows that his love for the game remains deeply rooted, but also that as a spectator he puts different accents than during his active career. His ideal darts night is a blend of spectacle, personality, and nostalgia, wrapped in a setting that sits close to the oche.

When it comes to the match itself, Part doesn’t have to think long. For him, the ultimate showdown is a duel between Eric Bristow and Luke Littler. “My dream match would be Eric Bristow against Luke Littler,” says Part. “Bristow was such a young world champion, with the confidence and swagger he had at the time. To see how that would play against Littler — his confidence and personality — it would be delightful to watch them go head-to-head.”

According to Part, the appeal lies not only in the level, but especially in the personalities. Both players are known for their confidence and stage presence, something the Canadian believes would guarantee fireworks. “Those two characters facing off would be truly amazing,” Part says.

While many players and fans automatically think of Alexandra Palace, Part surprisingly chooses a different venue. He reaches back to the era of the Circus Tavern, for years the stage of the World Championship.

“You could say Alexandra Palace — but I’m going to throw it back to the Circus Tavern,” he explains. "As a fan watching from there, you were almost on stage. You could hear everything. That would have been fantastic — so that’s my dream venue."

For Part, it’s not just about the match, but also about the experience. The proximity to the players and the intensity of the crowd make the difference, in his view.

Although he has great appreciation for the atmosphere in the stands, Part himself opts for comfort. “You can see how big I am — I need the comfort factor,” he says with a smile. “I’d want luxury. Luxury at the darts.”

Yet he emphasises that he values the crowd’s energy. “I admire the spirit of the stands — my sentiment is with them, and I like the rebelliousness — but I’d have to be quietly doing that from up front."

Part also makes a few striking choices away from the action. He admits he doesn’t have much feel for the typical darts signs fans hold up. “I have no idea. I’m not a sign writer,” he says candidly. “Maybe something tied into the outfit and the vibe — but honestly, I’ve got nothing.”

On the culinary front, he sticks close to classic comfort, with a light wink. “Some fries… and king prawn cocktail,” he says as his ideal combo. “We’d say shrimp cocktail — but over here, the “shrimp” are tiny, so you’ve got to specify.”

Perhaps even more striking is his company for the evening. Part doesn’t go for darters or sporting icons, but for a mix of film and sport. “Orson Welles, Muhammad Ali, and Quentin Tarantino. I guess I’ve put two directors in there — I like films."

The topic of conversation is already set, according to Part. “What we’d talk about? Who’s going to play me in a film. I’m working on a film project.” And who should take on that role? The Canadian has thought about that too.

“Depends on the age… but in my prime? Let’s keep it simple — I’ll take Leonardo DiCaprio,” he says. “There are similarities… the hair, the gelled-back look… quite skilled. We’ll leave the similarities there."