UK Open darts champion Gilding celebrates victory with cult snack in bizarre tradition
REIGNING UK Darts champion Andrew Gilding has revealed how he celebrated the start of his successful defense with a now traditional cult snack.
The 52-year-old became the oldest first-time winner of a darts major when he shocked Michael van Gerwen a year ago.
That earned him a prize pool of £110,000, part of which he used to buy replica guitars of the guitars of legends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.
He beat Josh Payne 10-7 yesterday to begin the defense of his UK Open crown – but there would be no fancy food to mark that achievement.
‘Goldfinger’ revealed how last year’s final ended so late he was unable to order food, forcing him to dig into an instant favourite.
Gilding said: “When I won it last year there were no takeaways open so I had to have a Pot Noodle to celebrate.
“So I actually brought some Pot Noodles and I’m having one tonight as a tradition.
‘I have chicken and mushrooms or beef and tomato. Maybe I’ll have beef and tomato with a little extra ketchup, I’ll bring my own.”
Ex-world champion Michael Smith also loves a Pot Noodle, but he revealed why he couldn’t have one after his win over Josh Cullen.
He said: “I had a Pot Noodle for lunch before I came here so that’s out the window.
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“I have a standing order, I get a few sent every month.”
Gilding will be hoping to make another splash tonight by toasting a win over Peter Wright, while Smith faces Luke Woodhouse this afternoon.
Luke Littler, who defeated Gilding during his incredible Ally Pally run to the final, could potentially be next in line for the two men if all three progress in the tournament.
The 17-year-old reached the last-32 yesterday by beating James Wade 10-7.
He will next face Martin Schindler at 1:50 p.m.
Littler is the bookmakers’ favorite to win, to which he said: “I haven’t even thought about it but I know if my game is there every game then I don’t understand why I can’t win it.
“It doesn’t matter to me who I play against. It’s what I dreamed of, playing in front of thousands every week, I’m just doing it at ease.”
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