Because
of print deadlines I am actually writing this before
Lakeside 2007 so I will hopefully be telling you lots
about another great Championship in my next column.
Mind
you, I can mention a certain singer by the name of
Engelbert Humperdinck, who came to George Hall a few
weeks ago to play me in 'A Leg With Bobby' for the
Lakeside coverage.
What
a lovely man! He loves his darts and is quite a useful
player (probably the best celebrity darts player I
have ever come across). But it was being in the company
of such a great star that made it all so special.
No 'big time' attitude with him or anyone connected
with him.
Originally,
he was coming to George Hall for an hour or so, but
he stayed all day and night and we had a ball together.
Plus lots of drinks, lots of chat and lots of darts.
Had
to laugh when he said that one of his biggest hits:
'Please Release Me, Let Me Go' could become the anthem
of all darts players suffering from dartitis!
But
I topped that by saying: 'And what about that other
great hit of yours, 'Save The Last Dart For Me'? He
wasn't quite tuned into my humour at that point because
he corrected me by saying: 'You mean 'Save The Last
Waltz For Me?'
He
fell about laughing when I said, 'yes I know the song
very well, Marie was always asking for the Last Waltz,
but we are playing darts and it seems a better title
for Lakeside.
Laugh?
I thought he'd never stop. Maybe he'll re-record it
just for Lakeside??
Englebert,
who likes to be called Enge, comes from Leicester
and unbelievably is 70 years of age! His real name
is Arnold George Dorsey (yet another talented George!)
and nowadays his son Scott looks after his business
for him (and does a very good job too).
Enge
had such a good time at our humble abode (I've only
got one mansion, but he's got two: one in LA and the
other in Leicester) that he invited me and Marie to
one of his shows at Lakeside - where he did sell out
business over Xmas.
We
had a great night because even after 40 years in the
business he can still sing better than most (probably
all!) of the youngsters around today.
It
was also great to see him come on stage and refer
to Lakeside as the 'home of world darts' and to single
out me and Marie for a bit (a lot actually) of praise.
I think we went red from head to toe, but what a pleasure
to be acknowledged by such a legendary figure in show
business.
He
made his famous John Smith's advert with Peter Kay
at Lakeside and Bob Potter, as always, looked after
us as only he can.
And
to make it all extra-special, Enge invited us backstage
afterwards where we met his son, his lovely wife (with
whom I had a dance) and his grandchildren.
It
was such a memorable night - especially for Marie
who sat on Engelbert's knee - that I felt sorry I'd
beaten him at darts! But then again, he beat me at
singing! (Not hard to do).
THAT'S
THE WAY TO ENGE IT!
It's
been quite a time for invites, because I was delighted
to be invited by MC Phil Jones to go and see him MC
his last darts tournament at the Circus Tavern on
New Year's Day - something which I accepted in good
faith.
Phil
was my very first MC in 1979 and we've always remained
good friends over the years without any silly politics
getting in the way, but unfortunately they almost
spoiled his grand finale.
Certain
people seemed to be upset over an interview with me
in The Independent in which I stated my own views
and opinions on the BDO and PDC. I have been in this
game long enough to know my own mind and like to think
that I talk in fact not fiction.
Only
last month none other than Pro Life actually stated:
'Life is about opinions'. It certainly is until someone
other than him dares to state their own opinions!
If you give it out then be prepared to take it like
a man.
There
was no animosity from the PDC players. They were all
(well, nearly all!) happy for me to be there - including
Phil Taylor (who was very supportive) Keith Deller
and Ray Barneveld.
They
had no problems with me being there, but the hierarchy
(that's a big word for me) thought differently and
wanted to ban me from the venue. I am talking about
the Tom and Tim's of darts, plus a few Dick's as well!
What
they probably didn't know is that Peter Rou, manager
of the Circus Tavern and Arron Stone, the proprietor,
are good mates of mine and Peter fishes at George
Hall.
Everyone
that knows me will know that I was there to say farewell
to a good mate and a great darts MC. It's such a shame
that a few people tried to sabotage it. And unfortunately,
it was also predicable that Hissing Sid Waddell used
the occasion to slag me off!
Thank
goodness that the players and Phil Jones have a little
(sorry, a lot) more class than the others I have mentioned.
THAT'S
NOT THE WAY TO DO IT!
Anyway,
it was a memorable final on which to end Phil's successful
career. He's a nice man who will be greatly missed
and I had to smile when he said: 'Bob, if it wasn't
for you getting me started all those years ago, I
wouldn't be here with you to say goodbye tonight'.
THAT'S
THE WAY TO PHIL JONES IT!
Yet
another invite saw me welcoming an unusual and unique
'celebrity' to George Hall: The FA Cup!
The
trophy is so valuable that it is insured for £10.5
million (almost as much as my throwing arm!).
Unlike
Engelbert, this celebrity came with security guards
who didn't let the famous trophy out of their sight
for a second. Apparently, only a privileged few ever
get to hold the cup in private, and I am delighted
to have joined that elite club.
The
reason for the occasion was that this year Lakeside
started on the very day that the big clubs entered
the road to the FA Cup Final and, way back in 1980
I was playing in the Grand Finals of The News Of The
World Championship wearing a West Ham coloured shirt.
On that same day West Ham won the FA Cup!
To
mark the occasion I got to hold the FA Cup once again
wearing the West Ham shirt. I hope it brings them
some much needed luck in a season that has been pretty
poor up to now.
THAT'S
THE WAY TO FA CUP IT!
Must
tell you about a new dartboard light that I 'discovered'
on my recent trip to Italy. The firm that makes it
actually sent me one to try out and I have to say
that it is nothing short of brilliant!
The
dartboard actually clips onto it and the light is
horse-shoe shaped and fits the bottom of the board.
It is difficult to describe, but you can move the
light around so that eventually there is not a shadow
on the board.
I
will be getting some sent over and fit them to my
new R & H dartboards for the New Year. The perfect
light for the perfect board!
THAT'S
THE WAY TO LIGHT IT!
Pleased
to say that the book - BOBBY DAZZLER - is selling
well and I am getting lots of great comments. I made
sure that Engelbert got a personally signed copy,
and because he's such a gentleman he gave me a signed
copy of his autobiography. It's grand to be an author!
Which
brings me nicely to the end of yet another column.
Did I mention that my New Year Resolution is to ignore
Pro Life and his negative attitude towards our sport?
From what I have seen and heard already this year,
I have a strong feeling that all the players on both
sides will readily agree with me!
Be
happy and keep smiling and May The Darts Be With You! |
