Manchester, England — The darts world is buzzing with debate after social media sensation Angry Ginge revealed he’s considering entering Q-School in 2027, with many in the sport suggesting his participation could be hugely beneficial for darts’ continued growth.
The King of the Jungle Eyes the Oche
Morgan Burtwistle—better known by his online persona Angry Ginge—dropped the bombshell that he’s contemplating a shock appearance at the PDC’s grueling Q-School qualifying tournament next year. The 24-year-old Manchester-based streamer, who recently won ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ with 65% of the final vote, has millions of followers across social media platforms.
Speaking to Oche 180, Ginge was refreshingly honest about his motivations: “I might go to Q-School next year, though. Not to win, because I know I won’t win. Just to see what it’s like. The more pressure you’re under, the more you get used to it.”
He added: “In darts, your hands are shaking and everything. Darts is mainly about who’s got the biggest bottle.”
The Littler Connection
Ginge’s interest in competitive darts stems from his close friendship with two-time world champion Luke Littler. The pair have become inseparable, with Ginge regularly appearing on Littler’s streams and supporting him throughout his remarkable rise to stardom.
The influencer has spent much of the past month at Alexandra Palace, cheering on his 18-year-old mate as Littler successfully defended his World Championship crown with a dominant 7-1 victory over Gian van Veen. Their friendship has been well-documented, with Littler appearing in numerous videos and livestreams on Ginge’s channels.
In February 2025, Littler even played Ginge in a livestreamed darts match, eventually winning 3-2 after the streamer managed to take a couple of legs off the world number one—a respectable showing that demonstrated Ginge has some genuine ability on the oche.
Why It Would Be Good for Darts
While Ginge’s announcement initially seemed like a lighthearted comment, the potential publicity benefits for darts have not gone unnoticed within the sport. His participation in Q-School could bring several advantages:
Massive Media Coverage
With millions of followers across YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms, Ginge’s Q-School journey would attract unprecedented mainstream attention to the qualifying event. Q-School typically receives minimal coverage outside dedicated darts media, but Ginge’s involvement would change that dramatically.
The ‘Littler Effect’ Extended
PDC president Barry Hearn coined the term “Littlermania” to describe the explosion of interest in darts following Luke Littler’s breakthrough. Ginge entering Q-School would tap into a similar demographic—young, social media-savvy fans who might not traditionally follow darts.
Humanizing the Struggle
Q-School is notoriously brutal, with many seasoned professionals leaving empty-handed despite years of experience. Ginge’s honest admission that he “knows he won’t win” but wants to experience the pressure would provide a fascinating narrative that could resonate with casual fans unfamiliar with darts’ competitive intensity.
Content Gold
The streamer’s presence would generate enormous content opportunities. His own channels would document the journey, while traditional sports media would cover the unusual story of a celebrity influencer taking on professional darts players. Every match would be an event.
The Walk-On Experience Preview
Ginge has already tested the Alexandra Palace waters. In December, he joined fellow influencers Pieface (Jack McDermott) and Bambino Becky (Rebecca James) for Sky Sports’ Walk-On Experience during the World Championship. The trio participated in a nine-dart challenge, with Ginge scoring an impressive 180 points compared to Pieface’s 140 and Becky’s disappointing 33.
The appearance demonstrated both his competence at darts and his comfort performing in front of large crowds—skills that would serve him well at Q-School, albeit in far more challenging circumstances.
The Harsh Reality
However, Q-School represents an entirely different level of challenge. The 2026 edition saw numerous established professionals fail to secure Tour Cards despite years of dedication to the sport. Notable names like three-time world champion John Part fell short at the event in Milton Keynes.
The four-day tournament is a grueling mental and physical test. Players compete in multiple matches per day, with two Tour Cards awarded to each day’s finalists—a recent rule change that doubles the number of cards available through daily competition but makes the event even more pressurized.
Ginge would face opponents who have spent decades honing their craft, many of whom see Q-School as their last chance to achieve professional status. The level of play is extraordinarily high, and the pressure intense—exactly what Ginge claims he wants to experience.
Potential Backlash
Not everyone in the darts community has welcomed the idea enthusiastically. Some purists argue that Q-School should be reserved for serious contenders genuinely pursuing professional careers, not celebrities seeking an experience or content opportunity.
“Q-School is heartbreaking for the players who just miss out,” one Tour Card holder said. “These are people who’ve dedicated their lives to darts. Having someone enter for the experience while they’re fighting for their careers doesn’t sit well with everyone.”
However, others point out that Q-School is open to anyone willing to pay the approximately £475 entry fee and meet age requirements. If Ginge enters, he’d be competing on the same terms as everyone else, with no special treatment.
The Publicity Argument
Supporters of Ginge’s potential participation argue that anything boosting darts’ profile benefits everyone in the sport. The unprecedented media coverage would introduce millions of people to Q-School’s existence and showcase the PDC’s pathway for aspiring professionals.
“If Angry Ginge enters Q-School, every one of his millions of followers will learn what it takes to become a professional darts player,” one industry observer noted. “That exposure is priceless for the sport’s growth.”
The timing could hardly be better. Darts is experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to Littler’s success, with viewing figures at record highs and participation rates soaring. Ginge’s involvement would capitalize on this momentum, potentially converting casual interest into lasting engagement.
What Happens Next
Ginge’s comments suggest he’s genuinely considering the move rather than simply joking about it. The 2027 Q-School would take place in early January at venues in Milton Keynes (UK Q-School) and Kalkar, Germany (European Q-School).
If he follows through, the spectacle would be unprecedented. A celebrity influencer with millions of followers stepping into one of professional darts’ most challenging environments, documented every step of the way, competing against players who’ve spent lifetimes preparing for this moment.
Whether it’s ultimately good for the game remains debatable, but one thing is certain: Angry Ginge at Q-School would generate more attention for the event than it’s ever received in its history. In an era where sports increasingly compete for eyeballs and engagement, that publicity value alone might be the strongest argument for why the darts world should embrace rather than resist his potential participation.
For Ginge himself, it represents a chance to test himself in an environment far removed from streaming and reality TV. As he put it: “Darts is mainly about who’s got the biggest bottle.” Q-School would certainly reveal whether the King of the Jungle has what it takes to handle the pressure of the oche.
Comments are closed.