Rob Key tells us why he loves the darts ahead of World Championship quarter-finals

Former England international batsman Rob Key takes a break from covering the South Africa Test series to tell us about his love for the arrows!

So, why does Rob #lovethedarts?

When was the first time you played darts?

Rob: Every Sunday night we used to sit down as a family and watch Bullseye and from that I got my first dartboard when I was about eight or nine. I don't remember if I had proper darts or the foam or Velcro ones - the ones that never used to stick on the board and do your confidence no good!

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Do you play now?

Rob: The only time I ever really play darts is if we pop down to the local pub, The Rose and Crown in Stelling Minnis, I might have the odd game. The only problem is the landlady is far better than me. We call her 'The Terminator' as she beats us every time.

Have you ever hit a 180?

Rob: I don't reckon I've ever hit 180. It's almost like snooker when you pot a red and you're on an easy black and you get the yips. It's the same in darts - you get a treble 20 and then it all falls apart and you end up hitting one.

Which is your favourite darts tournament to watch?

Rob: It has to be the Premier League of Darts on Sky, where the crowd and the atmosphere is almost as good as any other sporting event.

What's the most memorable darts moment you've seen?

Rob: Years ago a load of us used to race down to Lakeside for 9pm to get a table. My most memorable moment is seeing the great John Lowe walk out. We spent the entire session singing 'John Lowe, he's got no hair but we don't care, Johnny Johnny Lowe'. We lost our voices but had a brilliant time.

Who is your favourite darts player and why?

Rob: Phil 'The Power' Taylor. Few people in sport have been as successful as him even if now he is finding life a little tougher at the top.

If you were at Ally Pally this year what would be your fancy dress outfit of choice?

Rob: Princess Leia in a gold bikini.

If you were a darts player what would your name be?

Rob: It's 'The Machine'. I've been called that in many other contexts.

How about your walk-on music?

Rob: Abba's 'The Winner takes it all'. I'd probably lose in the first round!

Watch live coverage of the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship on Sky Sports Darts from 1pm on Friday. And then join Rob Key and the Sky Cricket team for coverage of the second Test between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports 2 from 8am on Saturday.

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