Ted Hankey makes it to Lakeside after all!
Two-time BDO world champion Ted Hankey has made it to Lakeside after all with a late call up to the event - as a pundit for BT Sport.
The BBC and BT Sport cameras start rolling this afternoon when the first darters toe the oche for a 30th straight year at Frimley Green,
Hankey, based at Aqueduct in Telford, was all set to look on from home, but he will instead serve as part of their commentary team.
He lifted the trophy in 2000 and 2009 but has a watching brief for the 38th edition of the competition, after missing out on qualification by one ranking point.
And 'the Count' today predicted Martin Adams and Scott Mitchell will contest the World Championship final and decide the 2015 title.
BDO legend 'Wolfie' is chasing a fourth crown while the improving 'Scotty Dog' has never been past the last 16, but has risen to No 3 in the world rankings.
Tipton's Jamie Hughes, making his world championship debut, is in Mitchell's side of the draw and has been practicing with Hankey, who has tipped the Black Country thrower for big things.
He said: "Jamie has got a bright future ahead of him, he's an exceptional player. He's so calm, you never see him get flustered or aggressive.
"He just plays his darts and he's got a lovely throw. He's going to be a future world champion, I will tell you that right now.
"He's got a good chance at Lakeside and it would be nice to see him play Scott Mitchell, that would be a great match between two rising stars.
"Scott has had a brilliant season and he's gained a lot of experience over the last two or three years. It's going to be interesting.
"You can never count Martin Adams out of a Lakeside final, out of the more experienced players he's the one I would back. Maybe it will come down to him and Scott."
