Barry Hearn sets record straight after PDC darts star Vincent van der Voort's ‘ashtray’ jibe

Barry Hearn has responded to the scathing disapproval from PDC darts subordinate Vincent van der Voort, who branded the erstwhile president an "ashtray" and a "terrible person"

Barry Hearn has shown a interaction of people with his effect to PDC prima Vincent van der Voort aft being labelled an "ashtray" and a "terrible person".

Hearn oversaw a resurgence successful darts' popularity, but it appears not each subordinate has fond memories of moving with the erstwhile PDC chairman. Van der Voort, 48, who joined the PDC successful 2007, precocious took a swipe astatine his ex-boss, with the promoter issuing a effect to the 'Dutch Destroyer' connected The Barry Hearn Show.

As helium nears the extremity of his darts career, Van der Voort isn't readying to spell quietly. When quizzed astir whether he'd privation to talk to Hearn aft his farewell match, Van der Voort was brutally honorable astir the 76-year-old.

"I see that accidental precise small," Van der Voort said connected the Darts Draait Door podcast. "He's a large businessman. He has truly been an icon for the athletics of darts, what helium has enactment down... In presumption of business, we couldn't person wished for a amended one. But arsenic a person, a bigger ashtray does not exist. On a idiosyncratic level helium is simply a unspeakable person, I think. In presumption of business, we couldn't person wished for a amended one."

Hearn took implicit arsenic PDC president successful 2001 and held the presumption for 2 decades earlier handing the reins to his son, Eddie. Van der Voort's jibes whitethorn person been unexpected, but Hearn Snr brushed disconnected immoderate hint of animosity and extended his champion wishes to the Dutchman arsenic helium prepares for retirement.

"I tin honestly accidental I person nary bloody thought wherefore he's said this," helium revealed connected The Barry Hearn Show, acceptable to beryllium released connected Thursday morning. "I don't deliberation I've spoken to Vincent for astatine slightest 2 oregon 3 years anyway. I admit he's coming to the extremity of his career, and I privation him [the best], God bless, successful thing helium does.

"I deliberation helium earned implicit a cardinal pounds connected the circuit during his time. So he's been precise gracious astir saying I was rather bully astatine my job, which I deliberation I would person to hold with. But we each person atrocious days. Vincent, bask your status and I shall fondly retrieve you arsenic well. And I look guardant to gathering you again rather soon."

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Former UK Open runner-up Van der Voort has had a challenging clip precocious but is gearing up for a last hurrah astatine the World Championship successful December, wherever he's doubly made it to the quarter-finals.

"To accidental goodbye successful a dignified mode would beryllium nice," Van der Voort admitted. "Of course, it's not for everyone. I besides cognize what it is similar to spell to the World Championship and past you aftermath up successful the greeting already a small tense during the thrust to Alexandra Palace.

"The feeling successful the hall, throwing in. That would beryllium bully to acquisition again."