Scottish darts professional Cameron Menzies has issued a personal apology to opponent Charlie Manby following an explosive and emotional outburst at the World Darts Championship. The 36-year-old's dramatic reaction, which included punching his drinks table until his hand bled, came after his shock first-round exit to the 20-year-old debutant.
Emotional Outburst Follows Tense Defeat
The incident occurred at London's Alexandra Palace after a nail-biting match that saw young talent Charlie Manby secure a dramatic 3-2 victory. The tense contest went down to the wire, ultimately ending Menzies' championship hopes. In the immediate aftermath of the loss, a visibly frustrated Menzies directed his anger towards his own drinks table on the oche, landing three forceful punches.
The result left Menzies with a blood-soaked hand. In a further concerning moment, he was also seen placing his hand over a fizzing on-stage pyrotechnics cannon. The scenes prompted immediate concern from fans and commentators alike, with many questioning the cause of such a visceral reaction from the experienced player.
Personal Apology and Underlying Grief
In the days following the match, Cameron Menzies took to social media to provide an update, confirming he had reached out to Manby directly. "I have spoken to Charlie personally and apologised to him for my actions," Menzies wrote. He expressed relief that Manby understood the outburst was born from personal frustration and was not a reflection on Manby's performance or deserved win.
Menzies later revealed the profound personal grief that had contributed to his emotional state. He explained that his uncle, Gary, had passed away recently, describing him as a father figure. "Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary's funeral," Menzies stated in a heartfelt explanation. He was quick to stress that this was "no excuse" for his behaviour on stage, which he condemned as "the wrong thing to do."
Aftermath and Focus Shifts to Manby's Progress
The victory propelled Charlie Manby, a breakthrough star from the Youth Development Tour known for a sensational 130.70 average, into the second round. His next challenge was a match against Adam Sevada on Monday evening at Ally Pally. Menzies publicly wished his conqueror good luck for that fixture.
In a related subplot, Menzies' ex-girlfriend, Fallon Sherrock – famously known as 'The Queen of Alexandra Palace' – appeared to reference the incident during her own first-round exit. Shortly before her 3-0 defeat to Dave Chisnall, Sherrock was seen approaching her drinks table and giving it a sarcastic shake. The pair, once considered darts' power couple, split in July of this year.
Menzies concluded his statement by thanking fans for their support, confirming his hand was healing, and reiterating his apology for his actions during the high-pressure tournament.
