This year’s World Championships signals the retirement from the PDC of one of the most familiar faces to darts fans around the world, M.C John McDonald, my friend and colleague of around 40 years .
John, a former member of the Parachute regiment, was invalided out of his beloved service after suffering an injury during a training exercise, something that was to change his life forever, as it was while recovering he met a lovely young nurse, Sharon, who was to become his wife.
With a wife and eventually a family to support, John did the “knowledge” and qualified as a London Taxi driver and combined this with a position at the BBC as a freelance photographer, which was how I first met him and our long friendship began.
The first thing I found with John is he is a friendly ,good hearted man, always looking to offer help when needed, who will have you in stitches with his tremendous sense of humour, I am convinced he would have been a top stand up comic had he wished.
A conversation and challenge from Barry Hearn, who was looking for a new M.C, had John climbing through the ropes for one of Matchroom’s Boxing promotions. Where most of us would have been daunted at the prospect of standing in the middle of a ring announcing to millions watching at home and thousands in the arena, it had no fear for a man who was used to earning his living by flinging himself out of a plane high above the ground.
John proved to be a natural and so a glittering career began. Boxing, Snooker, 9 Ball Pool, Golf, Ten Pin Bowling, Fishing, Rugby, Award Evenings, I have had the privilege of working alongside him at them all over the years, however it was not until the 2004 showdown between Phil Taylor and Andy Fordham that John got his first crack at Darts.
The much publicised event became a baptism of fire but it would prove to be not the only time John’s cool head would diffuse what could have become a tricky situation.The Circus Tavern was stiflingly hot, when Andy Fordham appeared to slump, facing downwards staring at the Oche, clearly in distress he was led from the stage and was sat in a chair outside the back door of the venue, where with quick thinking, John pulled out the pipe for the air conditioning unit and hosed the stricken “Viking” down with cool air.
His body temperature came down but with the crowd becoming more and more restless it became apparent the Dartford man could not continue, again John’s coolness in adversity proved invaluable as he grabbed Barry Hearn and Phil Taylor and led them back to the Stage.”Ladies and Gentleman “ he announced,“Andy is recovering but due to medical advice he will be unable to continue, however he has requested that Phil receives the trophy he rightly deserves” with that Barry presented the trophy the crowd cheered and broke into a chorus of”There’s only one Andy Fordham’”, crisis averted.
In 2006 Raymond Van Barneveld switched codes and joined the PDC and his debut appearance would be in the Premier League at Kings Georges Hall, Blackburn. Prior to the SKY broadcast going live John went on stage, as he always does, to entertain the crowd with his jokes combined with the announcement of the evening’s match schedule.
The name of Raymond van Barneveld, who, in the past had not been over complimentary towards the PDC, was met with boos from the audience, John let the noise abate and then addressed them “Ladies and Gentlemen, Raymond van Barneveld has made a brave decision by leaving the BDO to join us here, please show him the respect he so richly deserves.”
When he walked on for his match against Ronnie Baxter the jeers had turned to cheers and the Barney Army was born, not only had John’s words calmed another tricky situation he had created a movement!
The 2007 World Final was to be the retirement of original MC Phil Jones. John became the M.C at all of the PDC events and in the years that have followed he has become a face of the PDC as recognisable to the fans as any of the players,something he never let go to his head and he remains that same approachable, level headed, funny man he has always been.
On a Personal level we have shared many good times, many laughs, many funny moments and he has made time away from our families as bearable as possible.
JOHN McDONALD UNDERGOES A COVID 19 TEST ON ARRIVAL AT THE RICOH ARENA AS HE PREPARES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BOYLE SPORTS WORLD GRAND PRIX (RICOH ARENA COVENTRY ) PIC: LAWRENCE LUSTIG
The biggest tribute I can give him that in our hardest times during covid, when we were in our work bubbles, locked away from our loved ones for days and weeks, it was John who, in those long hours of confinement, kept the players, officials, staging crew and PDC staff, spirits up with his multitude of funny stories and seemingly endless pool of jokes.
He has set a very high bar and he is going to be a hard act to follow.
Thank you, “There is only one John McDonald!”
—–ENDS—–
Words: Lawrence Lustig (Original version in Darts World Magazine 592)
Images: Lawrence Lustig and PDC
