THE darts referee at the centre of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries’ Premier League crowd trouble row got his start off the back of success on an iconic TV show.
Kirk Bevins, 38, used his maths savvy brain to win the 2009 series of Countdown before becoming a PDC caller.
GettyKirk Bevins was a TV quiz show champion before he became a pro darts referee[/caption]
YouTubeBevins won Channel 4’s iconic show Countdown in 2009[/caption]
Taylor LanningBevins pictured with Countdown star Rachel Riley[/caption]
Bevins, whose nickname is ‘The Kirkulator’, was champion of Channel 4‘s iconic words and numbers gameshow when he was just 23 years old.
And, along with a little help from darts legend Phil Taylor, Bevins landed himself a job on the PDC Tour thanks to his reputation from the show.
Speaking to the Mirror back in 2022, he said: “The word got around that I had won Countdown, and several players went to the tournament director to say ‘Kirk is very good’.
“Phil Taylor – one of the greatest ever players – said, ‘you need to be on TV’. I said, ‘you’re the man to get me there’.
“He spoke to the tournament director, and they asked me if I wanted to do it on telly. It was really cool.”
Bevins later made his debut at the World Matchplay in 2012 and is now one of the most respected referees on the PDC circuit.
It isn’t just Countdown that the former maths teacher has conquered, however.
Bevins also won popular daytime TV quiz show Eggheads too, forming part of a team that won a £24,000 prize pot in 2022.
Channel 5Bevins also won an episode of Eggheads in 2022[/caption]
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Now he’s got his full attention on darts and he’s using his supercomputer brain to count the stars’ scores at the oche.
Bevins was the caller for the iconic 2023 World Championship final between Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen.
But it’s not always fun being a PDC referee, with Bevins being forced to intervene with rowdy and disruptive fans this week in Glasgow.
Bevins was the PDC official for the final of Night Two in the Premier League between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, when he had to tell whistling fans to be quiet when the pair were at the oche.
But his intervention left world champ Littler feeling like things had been made worse, with the 18-year-old calling out Bevins in his post-match interview.
He said: “Obviously, there were a few in particular that were doing it when Luke [Humphries] was throwing.
“Then when Kirk told them to be quiet, it got even worse. And then I missed doubles.
“Luke breaks at 5-4 and I am just like: ‘Kirk, you have made it worse for me’. I’m 5-4 down. But, no, I broke back and held my throw quite strongly.
“But I think it’s best off if they don’t whistle at us. We just want to play our darts.”
The incident caused such an issue in Scotland that the PDC were even forced to release a statement.
PALuke Littler claimed Bevins made matters worse with his interjection to quieten the crowd[/caption]
PDC statement in full
A look at what the PDC had to say after the crowd trouble in Glasgow…
“The PDC wishes to strongly reiterate that it does not condone any behaviour which can disrupt an event, such as whistling or booing when players are throwing.
“Every player goes on stage with the intention of performing to the best of their ability and providing an entertaining spectacle for all fans, whether in the venue or watching worldwide.
“As per the terms and conditions of entry to events, spectators who act inappropriately can be removed from the venue.
“The PDC works closely with Premier League venues, who have responsibility for crowd control, to take proactive and decisive action against those who behave inappropriately.
“The vast majority of fans who attend our sell-out events on a regular basis also condemn this behaviour.
“And we will continue to promote a positive atmosphere which gives all players the opportunity to play to the best of their ability in every match.”
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