Russ Bray praises parting darts icons: "They stop at the absolute peak"

An era in darts is coming to an end. Russ Bray, better known as "The Voice of Darts," has praised John McDonald and George Noble, who are retiring from the stage after this season. According to Bray, they are stopping 'at the absolute peak' and it is now up to the 'younger generation' to take over.

The now 68-year-old Bray himself ended his impressive career early this year after the PDC World Darts Championship. His distinctive, raucous voice - especially on the legendary 'One hundred and eightyyy!' - became synonymous with modern darts in nearly three decades.

Speaking with DartStream LIVE, Bray expressed his full support for his former colleagues' decision. "It doesn't hurt to admit some new blood once in a while, after all it's a sport for young people," he said. "Look at players like Luke Littler, Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen. Those guys are still young. It's only natural that at some point we too will reach our expiration date."

Bray says he had announced his own departure early on. "I realised two years before retirement that the time was coming. In 2022, I told Matt Porter I was considering quitting. He asked me to continue for one more year and consider 2024 my swan song. That was fine with me, so I stuck with it until the 2024 World Championship."

Bray has great appreciation for McDonald and Noble, who, like him, were the face of the PDC for decades. "George and John are stopping at the absolute peak," he said. "The World Darts Championship is the biggest and greatest tournament there is. There is no better place to say goodbye. I did the same, stopping at the highest level and making room for the young guys."

The former referee emphasises that the PDC is in good hands. "These guys don't make mistakes, they are top notch. And what makes them good is that they are all different. That variety keeps it fresh. In the beginning nobody likes change, but eventually the new normal is accepted by itself."

Bray also mentioned the names of his successors within the PDC. "People like Charlie Corstorphine, who has taken my place, but also Huw Ware and Kirk Bevins, those are the guys who are now the face of modern darts," he said. "They are going to be the new standard until we refresh again in 20 years."

Although the departure of icons such as Bray, McDonald and Noble marks the end of an era, he says the darts world is looking healthier than ever. "The sport continues to grow, the players are getting younger, fitter and more professional," said The Voice of Darts. "And as long as that continues, I know we're leaving it in good hands."