‘Giving me anxiety’ – Darts star ‘completely oblivious’ to Ally Pally wasp on his collar at World Championship

Ross Smith had an unexpected visitor alongside him during his first-round defeat at the World Darts Championship on Friday.

As he entered a crucial fourth set against opponent Andreas Harryson at Alexandra Palace, he was joined by a famous guest.

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It was the seemingly ever-present Ally Pally wasp that had pestered world champion Luke Littler on the opening day.

The wasp incredibly landed right on Smith’s collar as he was playing and he had no idea at all that the insect was there.

Comically, he played on with it crawling on his shirt, as commentators and cameras started to notice during each leg.

Smith continued, but fans couldn’t keep their eyes off the wasp and reacted on social media to the scenes.

One fan wrote on X: “A wasp is chilling on Ross Smith’s collar, he’s completely oblivious.”

Another posted: “Will someone please tell Ross Smith there is a wasp on his collar?”

“That wasp on Ross Smith’s collar is giving me anxiety,” a third said.

A fourth darts fanatic wrote: “If that wasp goes down Ross Smith’s shirt it is going to be carnage.”

And the Ally Pally wasp did almost enter Smith’s shirt, but fortunately for him, it eventually disappeared.

A few moments later, the Englishman appeared to be told by the crowd that he had a wasp previously on him, and footage showed him rapidly grasping at his collar to try and sweep it away.

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We meet again

If Smith had noticed the wasp on him mid-game, then he would have likely been instantly reminded of his incident in 2023…

He had a run-in with a wasp two years ago, as he forced broadcasters to apologise for him swearing after being stung on stage.

As he spoke following a win over Niels Zonneveld in the second round, Smith had the insect land on his hand.

And it stung him, with him reacting: “There’s the wasp!

“He’s just done me, he’s just stung me like a good’un. Little ******.”

As he was talking, he flapped his hand around in pain – but fortunately, there was no physical pain this time around…

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First-round exit

There was some mental pain for Smith though, as he crumbled following a second incident with the Ally Pally wasp.

He went on to miss six match darts in the final set, allowing Harryson to come back into the game and gain momentum.

Smith gave up a 2-0 lead in the fourth set before going on to go 2-0 down in the fifth and deciding set.

The 12th seed got a leg back but then missed some crucial darts to allow Harryson to win the match 3-2.

It meant he was sent home in the first round at Alexandra Palace, instantly ending his World Championship journey.