A young man who lost his dad to Prostate cancer became the first to score a 180 on the Paddy Power World Darts Championship stage at London’s Alexandra Palace this morning.
‘Fluky’ Lucas Cooper from Troon in Scotland was invited to become the first person to throw a dart on this year's Alexandra Palace stage by Prostate Cancer UK and the PDC as part of THE BIG 180 campaign.
The ground-breaking partnership will see title sponsors Paddy Power donate £1,000 every time a 180 is struck throughout the 2023/24 tournament.
However, no one expected that Lucas would pull off the sensational score when he stepped up to the oche at the iconic Alexandra Palace venue.
“I was just having a casual practice and then it happened. I didn’t even know it was a 180 until I walked up and checked. It was an incredible feeling," Lucas said.
"I mean I’ve just hit a 180 on one of the biggest stages in darts history and to do it before one of the professionals hit the oche tonight is wild!"
“To actually hit one on the Ally Pally stage, that’s the kind of thing people can only dream about. It’s definitely given me motivation to get back here one day and do it in front of the crowds!” he added.
“Everything’s happened so fast this morning. It hasn’t sunk in. This is my first time in London. My first time at Ally Pally, and my first 180 on a stage.
“Russ Bray was there when it happened, and I have a video of him doing his iconic ‘one-huuundred and eighty’ call after I hit the 180.
“Then I went downstairs and met Gary Anderson. He scored a nine-darter with my darts in the players lounge!
“As days go, this has been the best," the Scot continued.
Paddy Power have confirmed that they will gladly include Lucas’ 180 as part of the final tally of funds raised for THE BIG 180 campaign.
Cooper, who is a huge darts fan and plays regularly, lost his dad Simon when he was just five-years-old to Prostate cancer, a disease which impacts one-in-eight men across the UK.
Instead of organising a bash for his birthday this year, he arranged a charity darts tournament in memory of his late father.
When the partners behind THE BIG 180 campaign caught wind of his story, they invited him to come to London to spend a day behind the scenes of the biggest tournament of them all.