INTERVIEW - PAUL BOOTH MC (Setanta Sports)

PAUL BOOTH MC - THOUGHTS ON DARTS OF 2009

Tonight’s Master of Ceremonies reckons we could see darts perfection at Hermitage Leisure Centre.

Paul Booth is a popular figure on the darts circuit.

Previously a radio DJ, he has worked with all of the sport’s biggest names and was MC at last year’s League of Legends on Setanta Sports that brought together the heroes of yesteryear and was won by Bob Anderson.

Booth does around “30-40” exhibitions every year and says the star-studded line up put together by organiser Matt Word for the ‘Masters of Darts’ makes this tournament likely to be one of his highlights of 2009.

“There could definitely be a nine darter tonight,” said Booth. “Every player taking part is capable of doing it and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it happened.

“There is money and pride at stake tonight, so we’re going to see some of the best players in the world giving their all.

“I do a lot of exhibitions where the emphasis is on fun, but this is deadly serious. I won’t be cracking any jokes tonight and I’ve got a feeling I might get to call my first nine darter.”

Booth has been a darts MC for the last three years and his love affair with the sport goes back two decades to the pomp of five times world champion Eric Bristow.

“I grew up watching people like Eric, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson,” said Booth. “They were all legends of the game and I’m lucky enough to have worked with a lot of my darts heroes.

“I consider a lot of the players to be my friends, so I couldn’t really choose a favourite player.”

Booth is certain of one thing – that he you won’t see him playing his heroes !

“I love darts,” he said, “but I can’t play it. I just play strip darts with my girlfriend – and I always lose !”