“Much better now the crowd’s on my side”: Pantomime villain to fan favourite as Gerwyn Price finally excited for PDC World Darts Championship
Gerwyn Price admits he is heading into the PDC World Darts Championship with a renewed sense of excitement — and, for the first time in years, he believes the Alexandra Palace crowd might actually be behind him.
Long branded darts’ “pantomime villain” due to fiery celebrations and tense run-ins with fans, Price has often found himself battling boos as much as opponents. But the Welsh star has revealed a dramatic turnaround in recent months, saying the atmosphere at events has shifted from hostility to support.
“It’s much better now the crowd’s on my side”
Price, one of the biggest personalities in the sport, says he feels the mood has changed — and it’s giving him fresh confidence ahead of the biggest tournament of the year.
“It’s much better now the crowd’s on my side. It feels like people are starting to understand me more and I can actually enjoy myself up there,” he said.
The former world champion has endured some of the sport’s most intense crowd reactions, including the infamous 2023 incident where he wore ear defenders on stage to block out the noise. But this season, his rapport with fans appears to have softened, transforming him from a lightning rod into a crowd-pleaser.
A new chapter for one of darts’ most polarising stars
Sources close to Price say he feels more settled, more focused and more at ease with his public image. Rather than pushing back against the pantomime-villain persona, he has embraced the fun side of it — even playing up the drama when the occasion calls for it.
That shift has not gone unnoticed by fans, who have warmed to him in arenas across Europe. Many say he seems more relaxed, more approachable and more engaged with supporters.
Excitement returns ahead of Ally Pally
For Price, the timing couldn’t be better. The World Championship has often been a painful battleground for him, with crowd hostility affecting his rhythm and results.
This year, however, he says he is genuinely looking forward to stepping on the Alexandra Palace stage.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way about the Worlds,” he admitted.
“If the support continues, I’ll be dangerous. It makes a huge difference.”
Can ‘The Iceman’ freeze out the competition again?
Price remains one of the sport’s most explosive talents. When he’s relaxed — and when the crowd is with him — his scoring power, pace and mental strength put him among the very best.
With the audience shifting from adversaries to allies, many believe a deep run is finally within reach again.
A villain no more?
Gerwyn Price may never completely shake the reputation that has followed him for years, but something significant has changed. From boos to cheers, from tension to connection, the Welshman is enjoying darts like he hasn’t in a long time.
And with the biggest stage in the sport waiting, Price believes he may finally get the World Championship experience he’s always wanted — and perhaps the results to match.
