PDC Ban Darts Star From Using Nickname At The World Championships

PDC have banned a World Championship star from using his nickname during the tournament.

The 2026 competition kicked off on Thursday 11 December, with the likes of Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries and Stephen Bunting all taking to the stage at Alexandra Palace in recent times.

But while there is focus on the household names, the competition is particularly special for the emergence of surprise packages - with Stefan Bellmont, Motomu Sakai and David Munyua all recording incredible victories and becoming instant fan favourites.

However, one player set for action has been forced to make a key change to his whole act.

Australian Tim Pusey faces Irishman Keane Barry in the final round one evening session on Friday in what could be a huge coming out party.

Pusey is in action on Friday night. Image: Getty

Pusey qualified for the showpiece by topping the Australian Darts Association Tour rankings. He comes out to Come With Me Now by Kongos and he has gone by the nickname 'The Magnet' - a cheeky but nonetheless x-rated reference to his surname.

However, much like with Owen 'The Master' Bates, his nickname has been banned for what it suggests and the chaos it could cause - with Pusey forced to find a new one prior to the event.

“No, so that's why I don’t have any of that on my shirt,” he told TungstenTales.

“I’ll have to find a new one and maybe we’ll have to put it to a poll and get something.

“It’s hard because anything can be turned (laughs)… at the moment I don’t have any and the chants can be colourful.”

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The PDC have the power to issue a ban if they deem a nickname to be "offensive, vulgar or inappropriate".

Learning of his nickname and becoming furious with the rule, talkSPORT trio Ally McCoist, Ray Parlour and Alan Brazil came up with 'Octo', Galore' and 'Brazilian' for Pusey as potential suggestions back in October.

Pusey has always gone by 'The Magnet'. Image: DartsTV/YouTube

Pusey had his major breakthrough at the 2018 Auckland Darts Masters and has continued to be a huge hit on the Australian and New Zealand circuit - with five title wins in 2025.

Though his nickname will not be as normal, he gets his opportunity on the big stage on Friday and will guarantee £25,000 in prize money if he makes it to the second round.