MICHAEL VAN GERWEN jokingly shot down a producer following a claim that he is a “diva”.
The Dutchman features in new Sky Sports documentary Game of Throws, which was filmed in the weeks leading up to the 2023 World Darts Championship.
Van Gerwen was asked about accusations of him being arrogant and he also made the claim that darts is the most mentally taxing sport of all.
A producer also told him that he had been called a diva, which Van Gerwen objected to.
He hit back saying: “I’m not a diva at all you f***ing knob,” before breaking out into laughter.
Van Gerwen, 35, has won it all including three world championship titles and seven Premier League Darts triumphs.
He is ranked third in the world and PDC owner Barry Hearn believes the Green Machine – who has sent a warning to Lukes Littler and Humphries – has an aura which intimidates his opponents.
He told Sky: “Great players are intimidating to other players. Van Gerwen has that violent aura almost. His face is twisted up, it’s not attractive.
“No one says ‘oh doesn’t he look sweet’. But he’s a winner.”
Hearn considers Van Gerwen – who has also hinted at when he could retire – one of the best of all time, but believes he is just pipped to top spot by another darts legend.
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He said: “When I look at darts there is a battle in my mind between the great Phil Taylor – who’s about to hang up his darting boots after an amazing career where he’s changed the face of the sport on his own – and Michael van Gerwen, who stepped into Phil’s boots and did a fabulous job.
“I’m gonna nudge it towards Phil, just on the basis of how many years he dominated.
“He threw huge averages consistently throughout his career and [won] sixteen world titles. You can’t ignore that.
“So despite the quality that is out there today, I’m still giving the number one spot to Phil Taylor.”
The World Championships start next month, with Van Gerwen due to face James Hurrell or Jim Long first.
Watch GAME OF THROWS: INSIDE DARTS from 30 November and the PDC World Championship from 15 December on Sky and NOW
