There isn’t long to go until the 2026 Operation Bullseye event comes around. Just under a month in fact – or, if you are reading this sometime in the autumn, you’ve already missed it.
On Thursday 2nd July, down at Bradmoor Farm in Aylesbury, some of the very best shooters on the planet will join forces with well-known darts players! See what I did there?
Jokes aside, sixteen famous faces from the world of darts will offer their time to what is truly a remarkable and ever-growing charity. What started between a couple of squaddies in their barracks arguing about who could beat whom in a 501 match has now turned into this spectacular event, which has generated global interest. So much so, we’re having the official draw at the Tower of London.
That’s right, the place where the Crown Jewels are kept, ravens treat as their holiday home and formerly used as a prison for those who fancied a more scenic view of London offered by Wormwood Scrubs.
Pairing up with the tungsten celebrities, who we will get to shortly, are sixteen talented arrow-smiths from all corners of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. We have the Army, Navy and RAF all represented, as well as former serving veterans. I doubt the Taliban can be arsed organising something like this.
Before we look at the draw, we must remember this is all for a great and worthwhile cause. It’s of course the brainchild of the hard-working, ultra-talented and permanently stressed Zara Durrant – niece of oche legend Glen. Together with the person who reminds people in supermarkets he once won the Premier League, this Middlesbrough family pairing forms the backbone of what is a fabulous enterprise.
All the proceeds will go towards raising much-needed funding for Healing Military Minds, a wonderful charity close to the hearts of everyone involved.
Right, let’s have a look at who is paired with whom – and those mouth-watering match-ups. I’ve always felt the number sixteen is massively underrated, but when it comes to sports draws, it’s great. It may have narrowly missed out by one when it comes to the UK legal driving age, or by a couple when it comes to buying a pint. But it breaks down often. So much so that, if it was a car, sixteen would forever require the AA or RAC.
The full schedule is below, but it would take too long to mention – and take the piss out of – every name, so I will save everyone an article my usual size resembling War & Peace. And yes, that book reference for a Defence Darts Community event isn’t lost on me.
When Dimitri van den Bergh was teamed with a Mr Humphries, he’d probably have happily danced all the way to Bradmoor Farm. No one wants to see that. The twirly twist-and-shake stuff is enough without scaring motorists on the M40 next month. However, as soon as someone tapped Dimi on the shoulder and said it wasn’t world number two Luke Humphries, but someone called Danny instead, his moving and grooving stopped. That’s one way to do it, I guess! If you’re reading this Danny, no offence. I’m sure you’re not better than Cool Hand though, mate!
Uncle Glen is with a chap named Jamie Gibson. A surname famous in the guitar world, but this is the oche empire. And if Duzza isn’t on song – or as a pairing they aren’t tuned – it could be music to the ears of their opponents, Scott Williams and Darren Morton.
If Ricky Evans could manoeuvre behind enemy lines half as quickly as he throws darts, he’d be a great lad to take over on the next trip to Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Rapid’s extraordinary speed is purely reserved for the oche and he’d probably get shot quicker than he usually hits a 180 in that dangerous environment.
Ricky teams up with Air Specialist Spencer, which means he is probably red hot sitting in the cockpit of a plane, but that isn’t a prerequisite for winning darts tournaments. They face another who would have his uses on foreign soil, Justin Hood. The Somerset man is so small that even landmines wouldn’t sense his presence. Thinking a fly had landed on them, they’d hold off exploding for a little while longer. That said, Justin is so happy-go-lucky that, if he did tread on an IED, he’d probably laugh.
Former World Matchplay champion Colin Lloyd partners Jaspar Scarrott, whose name has surely been referenced several hundred times in relation to the Brummie comedian. I say comedian – I find him about as funny as having my head chopped off and discovering a council tax bill in the basket.
Those two will face Chris Mason and Connor MaGowan. And given Mace’s wardrobe collection, he’d be utterly useless in a camouflage situation. Unless, of course, he was trying to disguise himself in a Dulux paint factory after an explosion. In that situation, no one would ever spot him.
Then finally, another famous name which isn’t the actual person you think of when you hear it – Gareth Edwards. Not the legendary Welsh rugby union player, but in fact a bloke from the Armed Forces who will team up with Devon Petersen and probably be forced to learn some intricate dance moves. If Gareth manages to successfully choreograph the African Warrior, then he deserves a Victoria Cross for bravery.
That’s that. Plenty of other star names are on display. Keegan Brown will once again be alongside the reigning champ and man who has the perfect surname for a stag party leader – Vince Tipple. Operation Bullseye long-time supporters Alan Soutar and Jamie Richardson are in attendance. And there’s also Chris Dobey, who Zara definitely wouldn’t be getting on the bill if Newcastle United were playing that day.
Then, to cap off a magnificent line-up – one considerably stronger than I hope my team, Liverpool FC, begin next season with – Operation Bullseye has gone big on hosting duties with Sky Sports presenter Michael Bridge and veteran comedian Pat Smith. For the latter, the veteran tag refers to his former Armed Forces service rather than having been on the comedy circuit longer than Ken Dodd. And, just for the record, Bridgey is an avid Spurs supporter, so if any football banter breaks out, you should probably have the upper hand on that particular score.
Equally impressive is the calibre of officials enlisted for the evening, with two of the finest referees in world darts set to take charge in the shape of PDC officials Huw Ware and Owen Binks. One hosts the excellent Tops ‘n’ Tales podcast, while the other has carved out a niche producing entertaining online videos, with some of the featured players displaying acting abilities that would even struggle to get them a role in Hollyoaks.
I wish everyone involved all the best. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses. The Defence Darts Community is the big winner on the evening and the money raised will be well received by some amazing charities.
If I owned a cap, I would doff it to thee. In fact, it’s worth purchasing one to do just such with. Have a great night everyone.
FULL DRAW (In tournament order)
Keegan Brown / Vince Tipple vs James Richardson / Carl Webb
Dimitri van den Bergh / Danny Humphries vs Deta Hedman / Chris Harvey
Scott Williams / CPL Darren Morton vs Glen Durrant / Jamie Gibson
Ricky Evans / AS1 Spencer vs Justin Hood / Daniel Appleby
Tom Sykes / Brett Morgan-Williams vs Scott Mitchell / Iain Campbell
Colin Lloyd / Jaspar Scarrott vs Chris Mason / Connor MaGowan
Devon Petersen / Gareth Edwards vs Alan Soutar / CDR Whittles
Chris Dobey / CPL McMahon vs Tony O’Shea / Mark Bower
Good luck everyone. Especially to Duzza’s partner Jamie Gibson after the three-time Lakeside World Champion predicted you two won’t drop a single leg. No pressure then, mate!
