Sky Sports Darts presenter and DJ Polly James has said she does not care about online trolls who criticise her tattoos, as she urged critics not to attack her work. The 38-year-old from Cardiff, who also hosts Radio X on weekday afternoons, has become a prominent figure in sports broadcasting, particularly covering the PDC Darts World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
James has been targeted over a large rose tattoo that extends across her shoulder, upper chest and neck. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, she said: 'I do get a lot of crap about the neck tattoo. More so now, but that is because there are more eyes on darts, but it goes over my head. Say what you like about my appearance, I do not give a... but please don't criticise my work, because that really hits hard and that generally doesn't happen.'
James first attended Ally Pally 16 years ago as a spectator and developed a passion for the sport. She admitted initial uncertainty about mixing pleasure with work, but after being asked to host post-match interviews for the Premier League in 2019, she joined Sky the following year. She said she connects with 'rags to riches' stories in sport, having done athletics herself as a youngster.
Despite her professional role, James emphasised that she remains a darts fan at heart. 'I am on their side, I am not on the other side, so to speak. I just have an incredible role to play. I think darts is one of the most charming sports in the world,' she said, noting its unique appeal across generations.
She concluded: 'I get asked quite often what I like most about the darts and you know what, it is something that you cannot explain too much. I grew up with it, I enjoyed it, I clicked with it and now I can't ever see it not being in my life.'
