Laura Woods has reflected on her time around the darts world and opened up about the player she misses the most from her years working closely within the sport, offering a nostalgic look back at an era she describes as unforgettable, emotional, and full of larger-than-life personalities.
The popular broadcaster, who became one of the most recognisable faces in darts coverage during her time at major tournaments, spent over a decade immersed in the sport’s biggest stages. From packed arenas at Alexandra Palace to the electric atmosphere of Premier League nights, Woods witnessed first-hand the transformation of darts into one of the most entertaining and widely followed sports in the UK and beyond.
But despite the rising stars and modern success of the game, she admits there is one figure from the past she misses more than anyone else — a true icon whose personality left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
Although Woods has been surrounded by countless champions and memorable characters, she has often pointed to the influence and presence of legendary figures from darts’ golden era as something that cannot be replaced. Among them, one name stands out in her memories: Eric Bristow, the five-time world champion whose charisma and dominance helped shape the modern identity of the sport.
Woods has previously spoken warmly about Bristow’s larger-than-life personality and the way he carried himself both on and off the stage. Known as “The Crafty Cockney,” Bristow was not only a winner but also a figure who brought attitude, humour, and unpredictability to darts at a time when it was still building its mainstream appeal.
Reflecting on her experiences, Woods described Bristow as someone who made every interaction memorable, often mixing humour with a bold personality that made him impossible to ignore. In one particularly striking memory from her early years covering the sport, she recalled a moment that summed up his character perfectly. After learning about a personal situation in her life, Bristow jokingly told her he would “break his legs,” a comment delivered in his trademark blunt humour that she later laughed off but never forgot.
It was moments like this that shaped her understanding of darts culture — a world filled with intense competition, but also strong personalities who often blurred the line between seriousness and entertainment. For Woods, Bristow represented an era where characters were just as important as results, and where the sport’s identity was built as much on personality as precision.
While she acknowledges the incredible talents of today’s generation, including the rapid rise of young stars and the dominance of modern champions, she has suggested that the connection between players and presenters, and the raw personality of past legends, created a unique atmosphere that is difficult to replicate.
Woods spent several years presenting at the very heart of darts’ biggest events, including the World Championship at Alexandra Palace. During that time, she became a familiar and trusted voice for fans watching around the world, guiding audiences through unforgettable matches, dramatic finishes, and emotional moments on the oche.
However, she eventually stepped back from regular darts presenting, leaving behind a sport that continued to grow at an extraordinary pace. Even so, she has remained closely associated with darts discussions, often reflecting on how much the game has changed and how its rise in popularity has introduced a new generation of fans to its biggest stars.
The sport today is dominated by names like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and teenage sensation Luke Littler, whose rapid rise has brought darts into an entirely new spotlight. Woods has previously praised the emergence of young talents like Littler, while also acknowledging the pressures that come with sudden fame and intense public attention.
But despite the excitement surrounding the current era, she still finds herself drawn back to the personalities of the past — the figures who helped shape the foundation of modern darts culture.
Bristow, who passed away in 2018, remains one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport. His achievements on the dartboard were matched by his impact off it, where he played a key role in mentoring future champions and helping elevate darts into a global spectacle. For many in the sport, including Woods, his presence is still deeply missed.
She has often spoken about how the atmosphere around darts has evolved since those days. In the past, she recalls a more intimate environment, where personalities were unfiltered and interactions between players, officials, and media carried a raw authenticity. Today, while the sport is bigger than ever, more professional and more global, she believes some of that spontaneous charm has faded.
Still, Woods remains appreciative of how far darts has come. The modern game now fills arenas across Europe, attracts millions of viewers worldwide, and has produced some of the most talented players in its history. The rise of televised events, social media engagement, and global tournaments has turned darts into a mainstream sporting product in a way few could have predicted a generation ago.
Even so, the emotional connection she formed during her time in the sport remains strong. The memories of late-night finals, roaring crowds, and unforgettable personalities continue to stand out as some of the most defining moments of her broadcasting career.
For Woods, the question of who she misses most is not just about a single player’s skill on the board, but about the feeling they brought to the sport. In her view, figures like Bristow represented something unique — a combination of confidence, unpredictability, humour, and authority that helped define an entire era.
As darts continues to evolve and new stars rise to global prominence, Woods’ reflections serve as a reminder of how deeply the sport is shaped by its personalities as much as its champions. While the modern game continues to break records and attract new audiences, the legacy of its past icons still holds a special place in the memories of those who experienced it up close.
And for Woods, that connection to the past remains unshaken — a reminder that while darts moves forward, some figures are never truly replaced, only remembered.
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