“They still see me at work as Charlie Manby, not this champagne Charlie” - World Championship revelation promises to keep bricklaying even if he wins £1million

Charlie Manby has been one of the revelations of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. The 21-year-old impressed by beating both Cameron Menzies and Adam Sevada, and thus finds himself in the third round. All this while he is not even a full-time pro yet. Manby works as a bricklayer and says he will keep doing so even if he goes all the way to lifing the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3rd and claiming the £1million prize money.

The 21-year-old played a thriller in his opener against Cameron Menzies, though many will unfortunately only remember it because of Menzies’ outburst of anger. Manby, however, produced a very strong display, which he ultimately won 3-2. In the second round he then faced American Adam Sevada. Sevada faltered in that match, allowing Manby to cruise to a 3-0 win and reach the third round. In that third round he will now take on Ricky Evans.

For now, darts is still a “hobby” for Manby, who earns most of his income as a self-employed bricklayer. “I’m not working over Christmas. But I went into work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last week,” Manby revealed in conversation with The Sun. “It was all good. Most of the lads had been down here with me anyway, so they enjoyed it and they had a good time."

The company GBV Construction, for which he works, is also an important sponsor of the youngster. In addition, the boss is his own father-in-law. Manby therefore owes a lot to his employer. “It’s a family-based business. They’ve helped me out. The sponsor on the back of the shirt, GBV (Construction). They’ve done a lot for me. They’re top class for me and they still see me at work as Charlie Manby, not this champagne Charlie Manby on stage. It’s completely different."