Russ Bray, the unmistakable raspy voice that has echoed through arenas for nearly three decades as the legendary caller of “One hundred and eighty!” in professional darts, has traded the bright lights of the oche for the glamour of Hollywood. At 68 years old, the man affectionately known as “The Voice of Darts” has stepped into an entirely new realm, lending his distinctive tones to a most unusual character: a talking door in the enchanting fantasy film *The Land of Sometimes*, which stars Ewan McGregor.
It’s a career pivot few could have predicted, yet for Bray, it feels like a natural extension of a life spent performing under pressure. The former PDC referee, who hung up his official duties but left an indelible mark on the sport, recently attended the film’s premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London’s West End. Walking the red carpet amid the buzz of showbiz felt worlds away from the tense, smoke-filled (in the old days) atmospheres of venues like the Circus Tavern or Alexandra Palace, yet the thrill was unmistakably similar.
Speaking openly on the Double Tops Podcast, Bray recounted his surreal experience with characteristic warmth and humor. “We went to a premiere of it a couple of three weeks ago at the Odeon Leicester Square, which was good to do,” he shared. “I ended up becoming the voice of a door. The voice of a door where the two young kiddies go to the land of sometimes where you’ve got a pink sky and blue trees. It’s a lovely story actually as a brother and sister. And they go through this door, it takes them all to different chambers and I become the voice, hello, what are you doing?”
The film follows a brother and sister as they stumble into a whimsical, magical world full of wonder and adventure. With its vibrant visuals—imagine skies painted pink and trees glowing blue—it offers a delightful escape for audiences of all ages. Bray’s talking door serves as a quirky, welcoming guide, greeting the young explorers with that instantly recognizable gravelly delivery as they step through into new chambers brimming with imagination. It’s a small but memorable role in a production that blends fantasy, heart, and visual spectacle, and one that has clearly brought the darts icon genuine joy.
For nearly 30 years, Bray was the authoritative presence on stage at PDC events. He officiated an astonishing 28 PDC World Championship finals, becoming as much a part of the broadcast as the players themselves. His booming calls punctuated every maximum, every crucial checkout, turning tense moments into theatrical spectacles that millions tuned in to witness. In 2024, he was rightfully inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a man who helped shape the modern era of the sport as it exploded in popularity.
Even as he stepped away from full-time refereeing, Bray’s passion for the game remains undimmed. He has continued to appear at select events, and fans still light up when they spot him. But this Hollywood detour showcases another side to the man: one unafraid to embrace the unexpected and enjoy new adventures late in his career.
Bray has always been refreshingly down-to-earth about his craft. Unlike singers who meticulously warm up their vocals with scales and hydration routines, he never treated his famous voice with such ceremony. “I don’t do anything. Honestly, seriously, I don’t drink water,” he confessed with a chuckle. “My doctor turns around and says, no, you’ve got to drink lots of water, drink lots of water. You’ve got to, you know. It’s good for you. It is, because it flushes the system. I drink a lot of tea or something like that. But in the end, I really don’t do anything to warm my voice up. You know, like singers would do.”
That no-nonsense approach served him brilliantly through thousands of matches, high-stakes finals, and the intense scrutiny of live television. It also speaks to a work ethic forged long before darts claimed his life. Bray often reflected on the relentless schedule of his refereeing days, emphasizing how committed he was to the role. His reliability and consistency made him a trusted figure in the PDC, someone players and officials alike could count on.
One of the highlights of his long career remains the unforgettable 2007 PDC World Championship final at the Circus Tavern—the last time the event was held at that iconic venue. It pitted the legendary Phil Taylor against a young Raymond van Barneveld in what many still regard as one of the greatest finals in darts history. Bray was right there in the thick of it, his voice capturing every dramatic twist.
“I suppose it’s got to be the… you mentioned Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor in the 2007 World Championship final,” he recalled fondly. “It was the very last one at the Circus Tavern, which made it somewhat special in itself. It went to the sudden death leg, and it was Barney’s first year over.”
The match was packed with tension and brilliance. Van Barneveld set a record for the number of 180s in a final at that time. In the decisive sudden-death leg, the drama peaked when Taylor threw first for the bullseye and landed just under it on the 25. Back then, players could leave the dart in—a rule that would soon change. “Barney asked him to leave it in, which he had to,” Bray continued. “Barney put his dart on top of it and hit the bullseye. So, he threw first. He went up for a ton, I think. Taylor went up and hit a 180. As I’m stood there, I thought, he’s got him now. Barney followed him with a 180. Taylor thought, oh, poof and you just see everything drain out of him. His next shot was something like 41 or whatever. Barney went on, pop-pop, left himself tops and won the 2007 final which was unbelievable.”
“It was just the whole concept of everything into that made it probably one of the greatest finals,” Bray added, the memory still vivid years later. That night encapsulated everything he loved about darts: skill, sportsmanship, high drama, and raw emotion.
Now, with his voice immortalized not just in darts archives but on the silver screen, Bray is enjoying this unexpected chapter. Voicing a talking door might seem like a far cry from calling out maximum scores under the glare of arena lights, but it highlights the versatility and charisma that made him a star in the first place. His raspy, authoritative delivery brings personality and charm to the role, turning a simple prop into a memorable character that audiences are sure to quote.
*The Land of Sometimes* promises to be a visual feast, a story that celebrates curiosity, sibling bonds, and the magic hidden in everyday thresholds. For Bray, stepping through that cinematic door has opened up fresh opportunities and reminded him—and his many fans—that life after a long career in sports can still be full of surprises.
At an age when many might slow down, Russ Bray continues to reinvent himself with the same energy and enthusiasm that defined his time in darts. Whether booming out “One hundred and eighty!” or playfully greeting young adventurers with “Hello, what are you doing?”, his voice carries the same warmth, authority, and unmistakable character.
Fans of both darts and fantasy cinema will no doubt flock to experience this unique crossover. Who knows what other doors—literal or figurative—might open for “The Voice of Darts” next? For now, though, he’s savouring every moment of his Hollywood adventure, proving once again that legends never truly retire; they simply find new stages to shine on.
From the thunderous applause of packed darts venues to the red carpet of Leicester Square, Russ Bray’s journey has been anything but ordinary. And in *The Land of Sometimes*, his contribution, however quirky, adds another delightful layer to a career already rich with highlights. The pink skies and blue trees await—and so does that unforgettable voice, ready to welcome a new generation into a world of magic.