There are some legendary moaners around (John Pearce, Letters to the Editor, April) but I am not so sure that they are always genuine in their intentions.

Shame Mr.Pearce didn’t enjoy the Legends Show that he went to, but at the end of the day it’s down to personal taste. I have heard of people complaining about Ken Dodd shows because he made them laugh too much!

You just can’t please everyone all of the time……not even when you are a Legend!

Anyway, whether these letters are stage managed to try and spoil our tour is debatable. What is not debatable is that because the majority of people come for a different ‘fun’ night of darts, chat and humour, they are proving to be hugely popular.

We are now up to some ninety dates around the country and I’ve even done a couple of after-dinner speaking engagements! Marie tells me that my oral skills have improved no end!!

THAT’S THE WAY TO SPEAK IT!

But don’t take my word for it, as a balance here are a few of the genuine emails I have received, and I can promise you that John Lowe and Eric Bristow can also boast hundreds more that share these opinions:

Just wanted to write and say a HUGE thank you for your appearance at Harlow Playhouse as part of the legends of darts tour. You really are a gentleman of the game and for you to take time to meet and greet your fans was absolutely excellent.

My wife Sammy and I had our pictures taken with you and Bob Anderson and it meant the world to her for you to sign a picture of yourself and dedicate it to her mother Michelle who sadly passed away. A very big thank once again and hopefully you will come back to Harlow very, very soon. Sammy & Shaun Hearn

Blimey, could they be relatives of Barry? Now that would be something!

THAT’S THE WAY TO HEARN IT!

Here’s another:

Just a wee note to say thanks for taking the time to say hi to Stewart when he was at the darts in Dumfries. I now have a very happy boy. He really enjoyed the evening and stayed till the end. Quite a surprise to my husband and I, as he usually sits with his fingers in his ears and tries to go home. He was playing darts with his new flights when we came in at 10.45pm.
Thanks again for your time, Gillx

And another:

Just writing to say what a great show last night. We really enjoyed it. Bobby and Ian the comedian were definitely the stars of the show.
Eric was always my hero, so it was great to meet him again, and he signed my book.
Bobby was the true entertainer, he mixed with the audience, was very funny. and on the night he actually threw the best darts as well, not bad for the "injured one".
Bobby made Sharon's night when he was taking the ’p’ out of me and calling me a miserable git and I need to learn to smile more. What Bobby needs to understand is in honesty I do get a bit starstuck around him.
Anyway it was a fantastic night and as we said Bobby and Ian were definitely the stars.
Mark & Sharon Silver.

And there’s more!

I just want to let you know that myself and friend Nick had a top night at the Memorial Hall. Nick bought the darts board in the auction for £150 and I got to meet Bobby and get a couple of pictures signed.
I have to say it made my night meeting Bobby, he is a top man. The night was a success and everyone left with smiles on their faces.
Ashey ( Gareth)

Here’s one in text speak:

Me n my boyfriend came to see u last night at the Embassy and iv got 2 say it was amazing!! Iv never bin 2 anythink like that and I had the best nite in long while!! We had signed photos off u n there up against our dart bord! U, John n Eric were all brill!!
Della Stevensonxxxx

THAT’S THE WAY TO TEXT IT!


I came to see the show at Lowestoft and thought it was absolutely superb. Me and my mates were laughing from the beginning to the end. It was great to see our heroes in the flesh, and showing you’ve all still got it!
Thanks for a superb night. If you tour again next year, we’ll be there to see it for definite.
Ross Downes

Here’s one in caps to get the message across:

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I CAME TO SEE YOU AT LEGENDS OF THE OCHE TOUR AT KINGS LYNN AND WHAT A BRILLIANT NIGHT..I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK AND LOOK FORWARD TO READING IT. HOPE THAT YOU WILL DO ANOTHER TOUR AS ALL OF YOU GAVE A FAB NIGHT. IT WAS THE BEST TENNER I’VE SPENT IN A LONG TIME.CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TOUR .
Andrea Hunter

And finally, the last word from Lancaster:

You were fantastic! My family and my mum and dad’s friends family were all so interested in what you had to say. We thought the show was superb
Liam Jones and everyone else in Lancaster.
So, there you have it from the mouths (or keyboards) of the actual fans who come and have a good night out with us. We’ve had queues right around theatres and the business is great.

THAT’S THE WAY TO LEGENDS IT!

By the way, we have so much fun that John Lowe actually dressed up in my gear the other night and walked into my dressing room wearing it.

THAT’S THE WAY TO BOBBY LOWBOE IT!

A couple of interesting things this month…….I was flattered (I think) to be featured in a comic strip called ‘Bobby George Of The Jungle’ in the infamous Viz magazine. It’s a bit naughty (language wise) and there ain’t much of a story. Basically, I am in the jungle (without Ant & Dec) and manage to see off Andy Fordham, Raymond Barneveld and Phil Taylor with my darts, before being despatched myself by some natives!
All in the worst possible taste, but funny (Aargh!) nevertheless!

THAT’S THE WAY TO COMIC STRIP IT!

Could me an Marie become the Posh & Becks of darts? Not much chance of that, I can hear you all say! But, we might be appearing on ‘Celebrity Mr & Mrs’ with Fern Britton and Philp Schoffield before the year is out!
They definitely want us, but there is a slight problem! I am so busy with The Legends that it is proving difficult to find a suitable date!!

THAT’S THE WAY TO MR & MRS IT!

And, from that happy note I have to end the column on a sad – very sad – note following the untimely and tragic death of young Jamie Gentleman.
He was just a week away from his 14th birthday when he died totally unexpectedly – leaving behind a grieving family and the promise of great things to come, not only in darts but also in life. He had so much to offer, and when things like this happen it makes me even more annoyed that there are people out there moaning about trivial things that really do not matter in the whole scheme of life.
He was a promising member of the Unicorn Darts Youth Academy in Andover, and chairman Glen Dawkins and everyone associated with the Academy were devastated by the sudden and tragic death of one of Andover’s most exciting young prospects.

Jamie loved his darts and had a natural talent, winning a number of trophies including Player of the Month, 2008 Academy B Singles Winner and his prized Essex Youth Open trophy, which I had the great honour to present to him.
I have a really lasting memory of Jamie, a lovely bubbly kid, from the day that I presented the trophy to him. I said to him: ‘Do you want to shake my hand or kiss me’? Jamie replied: ‘Kiss you’!
It had never happened before and I didn’t know where to put myself. I’d met my match and it illustrated what a fun-loving kid he was. I still smile to myself whenever I think of it.
The picture of me with Jamie shows what a smashing kid he was, and it hurts me to write about him in the past tense. My condolences go out to his family and many friends.
The only real comfort I can give is to say: Jamie Gentleman was indeed a true young gentleman who will be missed but never forgotten.

THAT’S THE WAY TO JAMIE IT!

Which brings my column to an end for another month. My thoughts are with young Jamie and his family and friends when I say……May The Darts Be With You.

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