DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld has noticed that people no longer “recognise him”.
The five-time world champion was forced to explain who he was to fans before making his return to the Ally Pally stage this Christmas.
The 57-year-old Dutchman is no longer considered among the top contenders to steal the crown from Luke Humphries.
And ‘Barney’ has acknowledged that attention is mostly focused on others, such as Luke Littler, these days.
Van Barneveld told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf: “Most people don’t even recognise me anymore.
“Really, I go through it seriously. Then they recognise something and ask ‘are you by any chance a colleague?’
“Then I ask if they also happen to be a professional dart player.
“I also have to explain to quite a few people if I still play darts, yes or no.
“Since it’s no longer broadcast on the open net, a lot of people don’t see you anymore.
“It used to be about Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and me, but I’m not on a poster anymore.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“There is no one taking into account that Raymond van Barneveld is going to win the world title for a while.”
Van Barneveld takes on the winner of Nick Kenny vs Stowe Buntz on Saturday 21 December.
Fans were devastated when the Dutchman retired in 2019 after a battle with depression.
Crushing guilt after his first wife of 25 years Sylvia was held at gunpoint by armed raiders at their home in The Hague leading to a heartbreaking divorce.
Van Barneveld was in Barnsley, playing an exhibition tournament at the time.
Within a year he reversed his decision and worked hard to secure his PDC Tour Card back.
He married second wife Julia Evans, 18 years his junior, in Cyprus last year.
After previously working for TFL, Evans, who is British, is now Van Barneveld’s assistant manager.
The crowd still go nuts when Van Barneveld’s walk-out song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor comes on.
He led tributes after darts commentator Wayne Mardle’s wife Donna suddenly passed away aged 52 on Sunday.
He wrote: “Very shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Donna Mardle this evening. Sending condolences and thoughts to you @Wayne501Mardle and family.”
READ MORE on all the build-up to the Ally Pally extravaganza...
All the info:
News, features and interviews:
