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Thursday, 4 January, 2001, 12:58 GMT

Bobby George - missing in action

Bobby may yet make an appearance on stage again

By BBC Sport Online's John Mathews

Bobby George and Frimley Green go together like peaches and cream - but the venue for this year's Embassy World Darts Championship will be without its star attraction this year.

The legendary showman has failed to make it through the qualifying rounds for the World Championship, leaving his legion of fans bitterly disappointed.

But you can't keep a good man down.

George will be there at the Lakeside Country Club every day, providing expert analysis for the BBC television cameras, as well as BBC Sport Online's championship website.

Licence to thrill

He admits to having mixed feelings about not playing this year, though he believes his status perhaps means he should have been given a special licence to thrill.

Miss a few doubles and you've had it - goodnight campers

Bobby George on missing out in the qualifiers

"I don't go around the world getting ranking points, so they make me try and qualify," said George.

"It would be nice one year if they just gave me an invitation. I make my living from darts. Most of the other guys out there have other forms of employment, but darts is my income.

"It's a hard game and I play where the money is. Normally I get through to the Embassy but I wasn't good enough this year.

"I didn't play as well as I normally play in the qualifiers and I went out in the second round.

"You can't make a mistake in the qualifiers - all the players are up for it and they'll punish you. It's a short three-set game as well.

"Miss a few doubles and you've had it - goodnight campers.

Hard work

"I had my chance and I didn't take it. It annoys me, to be honest. I will be back on the television doing my summariser work with the BBC, but last year I was combining that with playing.

"I used to tell John Inverdale that I'd be back in the studio with him inside 45 minutes. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it.

"The place isn't what makes the Embassy World Championship special - it's the people.

Jimmy Saville eat your heart out - Bobby's bejewelled hands

"You could hold it in a barn with the same spectators and the atmosphere would be just as electric.

"For the boys who have never been down there before, it can be a frightening experience.

"You don't know all the rules and when you walk on that stage you get goosebumps... you want your mummy if you don't play well.

Pop star

"If you love it as much as I do though, you just can't beat that feeling. When I go out there, I've got my candlestick and I've got my cloak on and when the doors open up, the candles flicker with all the energy coming from inside.

"I can't really explain to people what it's like. You feel like some kind of pop star standing in front of 100,000 fans. It's like being a god or something.

"I'll try and get up on stage anyway. I'll take my cape and candles just in case... the old girls love all that. People like a bit of showmanship. I'll be in the studio most of the time though.

When you walk on that stage you get goosebumps... you want your mummy if you don't play well

Bobby George on the Embassy World Darts Championship

"It gets easier with each year and the Beeb have been very good to me. They've given me a chance and they've taught me a lot.

"Doing that job, I'm right in at the deep end and it's tough. Everyone thinks they can do it, but it's all live and it's not easy.

"The hardest thing for me is remembering not to swear. I think I'll have to stick a big clothespeg on the end of my wotsits and hopefully the pain will remind me not to let a naughty word slip out!

"You can forget yourself when you get excited after a great match. You've got to be so careful and I'm in training for it now... you won't catch me swearing until it's all over."