Darts star Owen Bates asks for SunSport readers’ help after qualifying for PDC Championship with awkward nickname
OWEN BATES wants SunSport readers to help him hit the bullseye and come up with a snazzy new nickname.
The Exeter arrowman has become the most talked-about player on the planet after he qualified via the Challenge Tour for the Paddy Power 2024 PDC World Darts Championship — and it was discovered that his oche moniker was The Master!
TalkSPORT Breakfast presenters Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist were left in stitches when they chatted to him about it live on air.
But Bates, 20, has had to ditch the cheeky nickname before he is called out for the biggest match of his life at Ally Pally next month in front of a huge global TV audience.
So the world No 121 now needs a new handle — and that is where YOU can help, by choosing your favourite in the poll below.
Bates said: “It was the biggest day of my career to reach the World Championship.
“It’s been an incredible whirlwind of a fortnight. But the one thing I wasn’t expecting was to hit the headlines.
“I’ve obviously got to change my nickname. It’s such a difficult choice because they can be so iconic.
“But I guess no one will ever forget my first nickname!
“There have been so many great nicknames down the years like The Power, Jackpot, Snakebite and Iceman.
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“I just want help getting a name that suits me and that will be remembered down the years, hopefully.
“It’s been stressful. I have to get the name fairly soon because I have to get my shirts made for the Ally Pally.
“I’ve given myself a massive opportunity by reaching the Worlds and getting a PDC Tour Card. I’ve got to make the most of it.
“I just hope Sun readers can help and get me a nickname I like.”
Bates’ darts’ manufacturers Loxley Darts are also keen to find a name quickly so they can get new branded arrows on the shelves.
They sold out of 200 sets of darts with The Master emblazoned on them in just three days as Bates’ hilarious story went viral.
Loxley owner Matt Birch admitted: “We hope Sun readers can help.
“His 15 minutes of fame is, in a large part, down to his sense of humour but we’ll see in the coming years his fame will come from his successes on the oche. The sky is the limit for Owen.”