Watch Peter Wright steal Christmas from Steve West after brilliantly dressing as Grinch for World Darts Championship
BEARD TO be feared Peter Wright came dressed as the pot-bellied Grinch – and he stole Christmas from Steve West.
Snakebite, 50, promised an outlandish outfit and he delivered that last night by arriving at Ally Pally in luminous green top, mitts, mask and trousers as well as dyed hair and facial whiskers.
And the defending world champion remains green with envy after winning 3-1 in the second round.
In honour of Dr Seuss’s memorable grouchy and mean-spirited character, it was the most OTT entrance ever by a defending champion.
But the small darts crowd loved it – before the shutters are pulled up today for the rest of the tournament.
Up to 500 fans attended the opening night but it will now be held behind closed doors due to the Government changing London’s Covid-19 restrictions.
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Mean Green Machine Wright will now play in the third round after Christmas and he will enjoy his turkey dinner next week.
On his pre-Christmas break, Wright, who clinched it on his sixth match dart, said: "My message is: It has been a miserable year, cheer up everyone, it's Christmas!
"I'm annoyed I am not playing again before Christmas. I wanted to wear another outfit.
"I think I have broken my rib. It has been killing me for a week. I'm in pain.
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"I jumped over a fence and at 50 I'm not a youngster anymore.
"I have to rest and won't play darts before the next match."
West, 45, failed to make a splash after sipping water from the wrong table – a clear breach of coronavirus rules.
Brazilian blubberer Diogo Portela broke down in tears as he beat Steve Beaton 3-0 to win his first match at world level.
This was Beaton’s record 30th world championship but his average of 84.14 was one of his worst displays.
Portela, 32, who had lost his three previous matches here, said: “This means everything. I’m the first Brazilian winner – and I want to continue making history.
“I was thinking about quitting darts during lockdown. It was a win for myself to prove how good I am.”
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Beaton, 56, said: “A bad night for me. It has been a bad year really but it’s the same for everyone. Practising really well but just can’t seem to take it up on the stage.”
Canadian Jeff Smith beat talented Irish teenager Keane Barry 3-1 in the other match.