I’m an ex-darts star who holds the world record for longest-ever Ally Pally walk-on and once fell down a HOLE on stage

BRAVEDART Jamie Harvey once fell down a hole on stage and had the longest-ever walk-on of 12 MINUTES.

But the legendary Scot was also the first to lose to Phil Taylor in the first WDC World Championship on Boxing Day 30 years ago.

Jamie Harvey holds the record for the longest walk-onGetty

Getty

Jamie Harvey was the first to ever lose to Phil Taylor at the World Championship[/caption]

Harvey, now 68, went down 3-1 to The Power.

The ex-world No 4 was part of the founding 14 players to form the new WDC in a bitter breakaway from the British Darts Organisation.

Harvey joined Jocky Wilson, Bob Anderson, Eric Bristow, Keith Deller, Peter Evison, Ritchie Gardner, Rod Harrington, Cliff Lazarenko, John Lowe, Dennis Priestley, Kevin Spiolek, Taylor and Alan Warriner for the new tournament in Essex.

He said: “I’m very proud of what we achieved.

“It was a big moment for the sport. We went through a lot to even get that far to have a World Championship.

“I was the first to lose to Phil in the WDC but certainly not the last. I still watch the darts and will definitely this year.”

Harvey was diagnosed with throat cancer 14 years ago, had a ten-hour op to save his life, then underwent chemo and radiotherapy.

He also had his voice box removed and had a permanent laryngectomy stoma fitted to enable him to speak.

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He lost four stones during the extensive treatment.

Harvey had hoped to play in the World Seniors Championship but has struggled with health.

He added: “I think it would be a great tournament, just a shame that Eric and Jocky aren’t still around. They’d be box office.

“I miss the big man Eric a great deal. There was never a dull moment, trust me.

“I know that Eric and Jocky will be looking down on us. Probably laughing and saying how easily they could beat us all!”

Harvey’s best World Championship display was as a losing semi-finalist in 1996 against Priestley, made famous by the world record walk-on of 12 MINUTES.

He opened with a 180, followed by three single ones and a 180 again.

Harvey also fell down a hole live on Sky Sports in a pairs match alongside Deller against Anderson and Taylor.

He said: “During a TV break we stayed on stage to practise but I didn’t see Sky remove a flowerpot. I stepped back and fell down the hole.

“Bob said I’d fallen down on purpose to win as it put him and Phil off — they were p****** themselves.”