As the World Darts Championship reaches its thrilling climax, the spotlight isn't solely on the oche. For Sky Sports' lead presenter Emma Paton, the extravagant fancy dress worn by fans at Alexandra Palace is a spectacle in itself, and she has revealed her personal favourites from the iconic tournament.
Paton's Picks: From Mona Lisa to Baked Beans
Having taken over as Sky's principal darts host in 2020, replacing the legendary Dave Clark, Paton has seen virtually every costume imaginable. While the classic traffic cones, Mario and Luigi, and groups of nuns are staple sights, she has an eye for the more inventive creations.
"I like the new ones," Paton told the Mirror ahead of the 2024/25 tournament. "We've all seen the traffic cones... So, anything that's a little bit more out there."
She highlighted two particular favourites: "I always like the Mona Lisa ones. They're so big and take up so much space with the painting around them. I also remember there was a group of chips with one baked bean. I liked that."
The Unforgettable Ally Pally Atmosphere
Paton described the unique environment at 'Ally Pally' as a hybrid between a major sporting event and a stag do. The party begins long before the first dart is thrown, with fans in full costume arriving hours in advance.
"Even driving up the hill to get there – and I'll turn up hours before we go on air – there will be people in fancy dress," she said. "I don't know where they've been or where they're going because they're not allowed in at that point!"
From her studio vantage point, Paton enjoys the best seat in the house to watch the carnival unfold. However, not all memories are as charming as the costumes. She recalled one particularly vivid early incident: "One of my first days... was, I think it might have been a traffic cone, and they just threw up in their own shoe! That was one of the very early images I was left with."
The £1 Million Showdown
The fancy dress spectacle provides the backdrop for the sport's biggest prize. The 2025/26 World Championship final on Saturday sees defending champion Luke Littler face Dutch number one Gian van Veen for a record £1 million top prize.
Littler secured his place with a commanding 6-1 semi-final victory over Ryan Searle, while Van Veen booked his spot with a thrilling 6-3 win against Gary Anderson.
Coverage of the final begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Darts at 7.30pm, with the players expected on stage around 8.15pm. As the drama reaches its peak on the stage, the colourful chaos in the stands, curated by thousands of dedicated fans, will once again be a defining feature of a unique British sporting institution.
