Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Darts
Jack Kenmare
Sky Sports presenter Polly James says she couldn't keep a straight face after Andrew Gilding delivered a memorable post-match interview following his win at the World Matchplay.
Gilding, who is currently 28th in the PDC world rankings, secured his spot in the quarter-finals of this month's World Matchplay following an impressive 11-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.
It was a superb display from 'Goldfinger' and, after his clash in Blackpool on Wednesday, the 54-year-old made some eyebrow-raising comments as he spoke to reporter Polly James on the Winter Gardens stage.
After being congratulated on the victory, Gilding replied: "Thank you. I don't know what happened. I've spent two days in the hotel room, getting stiff and come up here today feeling absolutely awful and somehow it happened."
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As you can imagine, the comment sparked plenty of reaction online. In fact, James took to social media shortly afterwards to give her take on the incident. "People asking how I kept a straight face….. I bloody didn’t," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
A fan responded to James, saying: "Everyone that follows darts knows that Andrew doesn't do interviews well. I'm glad you saw the funny side of it. We all, as viewers did."
She soon replied: "He is one of my favs to interview, always honest and real. And never know what he might say next. lol."
Gilding, who will face world champion Luke Littler on Friday, would soon reveal his appreciation for "all the Goldfinger scarves" and soon added: "I've got a lot more support over the years. It's amazing. I can't believe it. Thump my chest for it."
Here's how fans on social media reacted to Gilding's interview.
One said: "I mean, the darts is really heating up but that takes it into new realms, Andrew..." while another commented: "You just cant hate this man."
A third wrote: "That interview was the funniest I’ve heard in ages," and a fourth said: "Never before has anyone made staying in a hotel room sound so exciting." A fifth added: "Remarkable composure."
In other news, Littler progressed to the semi-finals with a 13-11 comeback win over Jermaine Wattimena. At one stage, the teenager was 7-2 down but he responded in style.
“I’m a world champion for a reason," said Littler in his post-match comments. "I find these gears when I need it. I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship against Ryan Meikle."
He added: “Jermaine kept putting me under pressure. He was always right behind me, but when I got into the lead I was determined not to let it slip away.”