Darts star Callan Rydz shares heartbreaking news after emotional underdog victory at Ally Pally
Darts star Callan Rydz has emotionally revealed his grandad has died, just hours after his victory at the World Darts Championships.
Rydz had earned a stunning victory over world No.22 Daryl Gurney at Alexandra Palace, booking his place in the third round of the tournament.
The 27-year-old had been emotional following the victory when speaking about his grandad’s illness.
Rydz has now announced on social media that his grandad has passed away.
‘There’s not enough words to say,’ Rydz wrote while sharing a selfie of him and his grandad.
‘I’ll promise to make you and grandma proud up there. I love you.’
Darts star Callan Rydz has revealed the death of his grandfather in a post on social media
Rydz made the announcement hours after his shock win at the PDC World Championships
An emotional Rydz had been comforted by Daryl Gurney following their second round match
Rydz also shared a post of his grandad watching him play at the World Championships from hospital, prior to his passing.
The darts star had been emotional on stage following his victory over Gurney, who he revealed had been aware of his grandad’s illness and had offered his support.
‘Daryl has been one of the only lads who knows what has been going on back home with my grandad,’ Rydz told Sky Sports.
‘He has been messaging me, asking if I’m okay. I am getting emotional thinking about it. I don’t know what to say.
‘My head is all over the place but Ally Pally is the best place to play.’
Rydz had also been emotional at last year’s World Championships, with the event taking place shortly after his grandma had passed away.
Speaking to reporters after his second round win over Gurney on Tuesday, Rydz explained how his grandparents had been crucial to him taking up darts.
Rydz shared a photo of his grandfather watching his match at the World Championships
The darts star shared a tribute to his grandfather and stated ‘everything is for you big man’
Rydz admitted that he was ‘struggling’ while playing at the World Championships and suggested he may consider quitting in the near future.
‘I wear my heart on my sleeve, I’m struggling,’ Rydz said.
‘It’s hard when you have stuff going on back home. I came here to try and forget about it but it’s hard. I play for my family.
‘I’ve got a job to do and, thankfully, I got through. I have too much stuff going on back home. I hear the crowd sing my name and I smile. But I wish I was home.
‘We are preparing for this to be the last Christmas. I will go home now, see how the big man is. Listen once he goes, I will probably consider packing in, probably. But I don’t know. I have a decision if I want to keep doing it.
‘I play for my family. My grandma, granddad, my mum, they got us into darts. Everything I do is for them.’
Rydz shared a message thanking fans for their support, writing: ‘Can I just say to everyone that messaged I have seen them and I appreciate every single message.
‘Thank you for the support, yous don’t understand how much it means to me. I wish everyone a great Xmas and will see yous back after the break.’
The 27-year-old is making his seventh appearance at the World Championships.
Rydz has made it to the quarter-finals on the two occasions he has got past the second round, reaching the last eight in 2022 and 2025.
He is due to face Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock in the third round, with the match scheduled to take place on December 29.
