Referee Russ Bray on Premier League incident with Van Gerwen: "I just turned around and said don't make me your excuse to lose"

The latest guest on JaackMaate's Happy Hour Podcast hosted by the popular YouTuber who is also well known for being a darts fan was long-time referee, Russ Bray.

An incident which came up during the podcast was the one involving Michael van Gerwen in Aberdeen during this year's Premier League Darts where 'Mighty Mike' looked frustrated throughout and had stern words with Bray post match.

"He was playing Jonny Clayton and every time Jonny Clayton was throwing a dart there was a guy in the crowd (whistling) every time but really loud. It was frustrating as Michael (van Gerwen) I think should have won the game but Jonny came back and Michael started to tighten up a little bit," said Van Gerwen on JaackMaate's Happy Hour Podcast.

"After the last dart I turned around and said thank you as Michael was coming up to the oche. Michael went to me oh no you shouldn't be doing this, I'm walking up I'm about to throw. From that distance I didn't really get it. Michael ended up losing, he took umbrage to me for saying thank you and disrupting his rhythm.

"I just turned around and said don't make me your excuse to lose, that wasn't down to me. We walk off the stage, I walk down the steps and he's waiting to put his arms around me. At that given time, it's frustration and they might be embarrassed as they should have won but they haven't so you've got that factor in there as well."

But speaking of MVG, Bray also spoke of his generosity and how in reality incidents like that don't stick.

"Michael is really Mr Generosity. If you go out with Michael, he goes I'll get this. After that incident, we were in Budapest doing a show on the Tuesday. I met him for breakfast and he goes no no I'll get breakfast, he's very generous."