GARY ANDERSON has got his WiFi sorted and will finally play in the PDC Home Tour — thanks to SunSport.
We revealed on April 17 that the two-time world champion was forced to withdraw from darts’ live lockdown event because of his weak internet connection.
Following our exclusive, Ando, 49, was swamped with offers from the likes of Virgin, Sky and BT, who all contacted him to try to solve the issue.
According to his manager, Tommy Gilmour, the response was “incredible” and the technical problem has now been sorted out.
The Flying Scotsman’s internet — which has been slow for years thanks to his rural location — is now being provided via Truespeed, a regional South West supplier.
Anderson also needs a signal booster box because the outhouse where he will throw sits about 45ft from the main house.
But he is now set to appear in the final week of the 32-night Home Tour, which started last month and involves 128 players.
He will make a very special appearance. I don’t know what he has to do but it sounds like he has now built a technological centre of WiFi excellence!
Barry Hearn
PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: “Gary Anderson is going to play in the PDC Home Tour series as his WiFi has been sorted!
“He will make a very special appearance. I don’t know what he has to do but it sounds like he has now built a technological centre of WiFi excellence!
“Your story saw people come forward, saying ‘We can fix it’.
“The event has been on TV all over the world.
“It’s the only live sport out there and it’s brilliant entertainment.
“Our Darts at Home series has done really well because it’s watchable and people think ‘Thank God, it’s something live. I can have a fiver on that’.”
Anderson’s inclusion means the only big names missing are the three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen and world No 6 Daryl Gurney.
Van Gerwen, 31, was not interested in taking part when the Home Tour was initially proposed and has a young family to look after in Holland. And Northern Ireland’s Gurney, 34, is also plagued by slow internet at home.
So far only Keegan Brown on the Isle of Wight has had to pull out during the tournament because of WiFi issues.
On Friday night, world No 10 Ian White will be the headline act on 22nd evening of action on the PDC Home Tour.
The Stoke thrower will take on Spanish star Jesus Noguera, Dutchman Danny Noppert and then Huddersfield’s James Wilson.