The darts scene is looking forward to the upcoming farewell to referee Russ Bray with sadness. The 66-year-old Englishman will announce a World Cup final at Alexandra Palace in London for the last time on Wednesday evening (9 p.m./Sport1 and DAZN) and then switch to a role as ambassador for the PDC association.
“Everyone associates darts with him. As a viewer at the time, I still know very well that he was a figurehead. People were always looking forward to his voice,” said Martin Schindler of the German Press Agency about Bray.
The Englishman is known for his grating voice and the distinctive call “Onehundredandeighty” when a player has scored the maximum number of points with his three arrows. “He is the most famous voice and he has become a trademark. You can see this especially among viewers who are not particularly interested in darts. Everyone remembers this voice,” said commentator Elmar Paulke.
Bray should continue to be used at World Series events, but no longer at the big majors like the World Cup, which always takes place around the turn of the year. PDC boss Matthew Porter paid tribute: “His contribution to our sport over the past 30 years has been incredible.”
