"Might have to change it again because it's a bit dirty": Justin Hood changes nickname from Happy Feet without knowing connotations
PDCSaturday, 04 July 2026 at 15:00
For Justin Hood, last season brought not only a breakthrough on the big stage but also an unexpected change away from the oche. The Englishman has been forced to say goodbye to his well-known nickname, 'Happy Feet', and will compete under a new moniker for the time being.
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Speaking to Oche180, Hood revealed that the change was not his own decision. According to the darts star, it came after his memorable appearance at the World Championship attracted widespread attention.
"Warner Brothers got hold of Target so I've heard and said we can't have it because obviously they've got the rights to the film," he said.
A quick solution
The nickname 'Happy Feet' was a reference to the popular animated movie. Hood became a viral sensation during the World Championship thanks to his walk-on, wearing a penguin hat and making his trademark entrance onto the stage. Clips of the moment quickly spread across social media.
With all of his merchandise needing to be redesigned and repackaged, a replacement nickname had to be found quickly. That's how 'Pocket Rocket' was chosen.
"What I was doing at the World Championship went viral, just messing about and being myself so we went with Pocket Rocket. It was mainly due to getting my stuff out quicker because we'd have to repackage everything."
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Justin Hood had to change his nickname.
But while he has picked this nickname, he might not keep it. Hood laughed after discovering that 'Pocket Rocket' has a very different meaning in the United States.
"I've been told what Pocket Rocket means in America now and might have to change it again because it's a bit dirty."
Read also
"I've always been Happy Feet and I always will be"
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Although Hood understands why the change was necessary, he still feels a strong attachment to his original nickname.
The Englishman is therefore hopeful that one day he will be able to return to the name that made him famous.
"It's nice and not nice, nicknames are not something you come up with yourself. It's what people call you and I've always been Happy Feet and I always will be. So hopefully in the next three or four years we'll go back to that but at the moment, we're going with Pocket Rocket."
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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