The Ozzy Osbourne loving darts cult hero out to rock Luke Littler as he reveals precious Black Sabbath keepsake
Goldfinger Andrew Gilding is flying at the Matchplay and now aiming to take down The Nuke
Reluctant hero Andrew Gilding is aiming to deliver a huge Blackpool shock to deliver again for his cult following.
The 54-year-old is darts’ quiet man who is making another huge noise at the Winter Gardens.
Heavy Metal fan Gilding made the last-eight 12 months ago and has rocked the venue again this time around to set-up a glittering Friday clash with Luke Littler.
The 2023 UK Open champ looked emotional on stage at the end of his last 16 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode as fans celebrated his triumph and said: “I’ve had some support here this year, a lot of support. I could see a lot of scarves in the crowd and they were chanting my name big time and that did help.
“Am I a cult hero? Okay, I don’t really do any theatricals, but if that’s what people want to see.
“No, I’m not going to beat my chest or anything. I have been known to give a fist now and again. Maybe as we get further into the tournament, I might start doing a bit more.
"That would be unexpected. Some players can feed off the atmosphere. My game is, I just let it all wash over me.”
Ozzy Osbourne died at the beginning of the week and Gilding has a piece of special memorabilia from the rock star’s band in his collection as he said: “It was a sad day, really.
"I actually got Tony Iommi’s signature guitar at home, so I like a bit of Black Sabbath. Yeah, I’ve been kind of collecting guitars, much to the disappointment of my other half.”
Gilding lost out to Michael van Gerwen in the quarters last year and now has the unenviable task of meeting Littler. Asked what he learned from that loss, he said: “Yeah, I learned that I need to take some sugar tablets or something to keep my energy up.
"So, I’ll be taking them in the next game. They’re always in my dart case now. So, in case I feel a bit low, being a Type 2 diabetic, that got me last year. I think I felt low on energy.
“There’s plenty of good players out there. I don’t think I’ll crumble like I used to. Nothing seems to faze me so much anymore.
"Apart from nearly hitting a nine-darter, that fazed me. I’ll be looking for another win, because we’re one each at the moment. I’d like to get one over on him.
“I’m definitely more consistent than I used to be. I’m getting to the floor tournaments, I’m getting there nice and early, not being lazy, having a good breakfast, all that business, being professional.”
Gilding wasn’t quite so energetic in the build-up to his van Duijvendobe win as he said: “I had two and a half days in my hotel room doing pretty much nothing.
"Feeling really stiff after those two days because I’d just been watching Netflix and not really getting a lot of exercise and felt pretty rough. I don’t ever really expect it.
"To be honest, I’m just waiting for the bottom to fall out of my game. So, if that keeps happening, then it’s good.”
Lifting the trophy would eclipse Gilding’s 2023 triumph and he said: “That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? Yeah, go on. I’ll have a go.”