A Wigan darts fan wins dream job of watching the whole of the PDC Championships live - for free

Billy Newton, 26, is living in a caravan on site at Alexandra Palace during the tournament for 21 days and 127 matches in total.

He was hand-picked after a nationwide search and a memorable interview process with darts fanatic influencer JaackMaate.

Billy is documenting the drama daily on socials while taking on challenges from wearing outrageous fancy dress to capturing Russ Bray’s iconic 180, all in the name of being crowned Fireball’s Final Boss.

The lucky winner said: “I might need to miss quite a few life moments to attend all the darts games.

“I’m missing my work Christmas party for the arrows, but it’s definitely a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

“I’ve followed it for over 10 years and I already watch pretty much every match shown on TV, plus I’ve been to watch it live in two different countries.

“Fortunately, my partner loves darts too, so it’s not caused any problems yet, I’m living this experience so other fans can feel it.”

It comes after research of 2,000 adults found four in 10 sports fans would miss a “major life occasion” so they could see a key game, match or event.

They would happily skip weddings (31 per cent), an anniversary (30 per cent) or a medical appointment (30 per cent) which clashed with a major sporting moment.

While 10 per cent of those who miss significant life events would even pass on watching the birth of their first child.

A further one in 20 would even break up with a partner to avoid missing a crucial match.

With 34 per cent claiming cancelling holidays is “fully justifiable” in the name of sport.

The study also found 23 per cent of those who would miss a life event for sports, would dodge a funeral to watch a game, match, or event.

And 20 per cent would be ‘happy’ to miss out on a child’s school event, while 23 per cent would re-arrange a house move.

Which might explain why three in 10 have rowed with their partner over their sporting obsession.

Football was deemed the sport most likely to get fans shifting other life commitments around (66 per cent), followed by Formula 1 (24 per cent).

While around one in six (16 per cent) put their love of darts ahead of many other elements of their lives.

Of all respondents, 21 per cent have bunked off work to watch a sporting event in the past and 18 per cent would happily lie to their boss to do so.

As many as 37 per cent believe cancelling other plans is ‘fully justifiable’ in the name of supporting sport.

Carried out through OnePoll.com, it also emerged 42 per cent of darts fans are likely to make an excuse to get out of their Christmas work drinks - so they can watch the arrows.

A spokesperson for Fireball Whisky said: “Sport has a way of commanding attention like nothing else.

“People will rearrange their schedules, skip events and even sacrifice sleep just to catch every moment.

“It’s not about neglecting responsibilities, it’s about passion taking priority, and darts fans are as committed as any others.”