MC John McDonald explains why darts is so special... and why he would like to see Phil Taylor toppled.
Master of Ceremonies on a 'special' time of year for darts
When it comes to television, there is no doubt that Sid Waddell is the Voice of Darts.
But for the thousands of supporters that have been turning up to Alexandra Palace throughout the World Championship, the sport's most recognisable voice belongs to John McDonald.
The PDC's Master of Ceremonies will be a familiar face - and voice - for anybody who has watched big-time darts over the last few years and once again he will be introducing all of the players to the stage throughout the 2010 World Championship.
McDonald, currently working in his third World Championship, is a key component of the glitz and glamour of modern darts, welcoming the competitors to the stage with the same gusto he uses when welcoming professional boxers to the ring.
Speaking to
skysports.com, McDonald says he has an important role in making sure darts audiences go home with a smile on their faces.
"I put as much in as I can," McDonald said.
"I have to train and rehearse; I was at Alexandra Palace for five-and-a-half hours before the action started on the opening night.
"The whole structure of the business is designed around the customer and we're very aware of that. Hence why people come back time and time again.
"We do have a great party atmosphere, especially at the darts but on all the sports Matchroom does on
Sky Sports.
"We try to give them a party atmosphere, but this one is a real family atmosphere."
Special
McDonald, who has announced everything from snooker to fishing to ten-pin bowling for Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sports organisation, now works on all of the PDC's televised darts events.
However, he admits there is something "special" about the annual World Championship.
He said: "I suppose anything with 'World Championship' as its title is always a bit special, although I take great pride in all of the events.
"I like the Premier League for a number of different reasons as I do the Matchplay, the World Grand Prix and so on.
"But the World Championship is the one where there is a chance where there may be a fairytale ending. I think that's very important."
Chance
Many would argue there is little chance of a fairytale winner with 14-time champion Phil Taylor in town.
The Power is the red-hot favourite with the bookmakers and while McDonald admits he has total admiration for The Power's achievements, he would like to see more of a challenge to his dominance.
"We're up against what I would suggest is the most dedicated professional sportsman I've ever met in my life in Phil Taylor - and I don't say that lightly.
"To achieve what he's achieved over the period he's achieved it is totally unbelievable - and therefore whoever wins is going to have their work cut out.
"It's not going to be easy to beat him, but not impossible.
"Would I like to see a new world champion? Yes I would. Phil's proved to be a living legend and will go on and be so irrespective of what happens in this tournament and I think the beauty of Phil's play is that he's up for the challenge.
"It would be nice to see somebody challenge him.
"It would be good for the sport in general. By his own admission he's fanatical in his approach and I can't knock that.
"He shocked me, but they all did. I was not used to the level of dedication. I thought, like most people, that darts was just a pub game.
"It's certainly not."
Dedicated
But while the world's top players need to be dedicated to reach their goals, so McDonald works hard in a job which, he says, is about more than being a mere MC.
He says he has an important role in promoting the sport and ensuring the public keep coming back for more.
"There's a lot more to my job than just announcing, as you'll appreciate when you come to the live shows.
"I'm out there in amongst the audience building them up and keeping them informed.
"I have a big task at the moment. I want to make the opening night of the Premier League at the O2 Arena in my home town of London the biggest darts event of the year.
"To do that I need to inform people and I'm working extra hard for February 11 for an arena that has a reputation as a great venue.
"Promoting that becomes part of my warm-up now. I've turned this into the Premier League roadshow as well as the World Champs."
Downside
One of the few downsides of John's job is the need to work over the festive preiod when much of the country is putting their feet up.
But McDonald says it's all part of making darts the entertaining spectacle it has become.
"I'm a big family man, but I spent enough Christmases away when I was serving in the British Army.
"For me it's quite nice. We get Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day off and New Year's Eve off.
"A lot of companies out there have to work at Christmas so it's no big deal for us.
"We're an entertainment business at the end of the day, so when people are off on holiday we need to entertain.
"It's a bit like bankers having a dinner hour. That's when people want to do their banking.
"Why only have one till open at lunchtime? You're in the service industry!"
