AUTHOR Dan Waddell has released an emotional memoir of his time in darts with father Sid in a new book, "We Had Some Laughs".
The book combines Dan's experiences travelling to darts tournaments with the legendary commentator alongside a moving and funny account of Sid's colourful life.
Sid spent much of his career as 'the voice of darts' through his commentary work, but through the book Dan reveals some memorable tales of his early life, his time at University and his work as a TV producer and author.
The book launched on Thursday May 19 alongside the Betway Premier League Play-Offs.
Speaking to the PDC at The O2, Dan said: "I always thought I'd write about him because he was such a colourful character.
"He had such a unique story; he came from a pit village, went to Cambridge, wrote a novel that was banned, worked as a TV producer and many ups and downs until he became a darts commentator.
"I always thought I would tell that story but then after he died there was this huge outpouring of affection, and my son said to me "Why has Wayne Rooney tweeted about Grandad?"...I said I'd have to write you a book, so four years later here you are.
"I first went to the darts in 1985 at Jollees, the World Championship. I spent my first night in the back of the commentary box seeing my dad in action.
"My dad was always quite a lively character, even at home, but I'd never quite seen anything like him in a commentary box, he was like a buffalo in an airing cupboard. From then on I went to every World Championship for the next 19 years."
"We Had Some Laughs - My dad, the darts and me" is available now, published by Bantam Press, £16.99 hardback.
Click here to buy "We Had Some Laughs" via Amazon
Click below to watch our Dan Waddell interview
The book combines Dan's experiences travelling to darts tournaments with the legendary commentator alongside a moving and funny account of Sid's colourful life.
Sid spent much of his career as 'the voice of darts' through his commentary work, but through the book Dan reveals some memorable tales of his early life, his time at University and his work as a TV producer and author.
The book launched on Thursday May 19 alongside the Betway Premier League Play-Offs.
Speaking to the PDC at The O2, Dan said: "I always thought I'd write about him because he was such a colourful character.
"He had such a unique story; he came from a pit village, went to Cambridge, wrote a novel that was banned, worked as a TV producer and many ups and downs until he became a darts commentator.
"I always thought I would tell that story but then after he died there was this huge outpouring of affection, and my son said to me "Why has Wayne Rooney tweeted about Grandad?"...I said I'd have to write you a book, so four years later here you are.
"I first went to the darts in 1985 at Jollees, the World Championship. I spent my first night in the back of the commentary box seeing my dad in action.
"My dad was always quite a lively character, even at home, but I'd never quite seen anything like him in a commentary box, he was like a buffalo in an airing cupboard. From then on I went to every World Championship for the next 19 years."
"We Had Some Laughs - My dad, the darts and me" is available now, published by Bantam Press, £16.99 hardback.
Click here to buy "We Had Some Laughs" via Amazon
Click below to watch our Dan Waddell interview