DARTS star Dalibor Smolik admitted nerves were behind his mid-match dash to the loo at the WDF World Championship.
Smolik was forced to temporarily abandon his first-round clash with Marko Kantele of Finland as he disappeared off stage.
Commentators and fans were left completely bewildered as Kantele was forced to wait well over a minute before Smolik returned.
The Czech star was given a big cheer when he re-emerged, and proceeded to clear up the leg by hitting double four.
Afterwards he explained: “It was the first time [playing here] for me. I was nervous.
“It was an incredible experience. This stage has a very important history and it’s amazing to be here.
“I was nervous today – I needed to go to the toilet – but I think I played well and I am happy.”
Kantele, who ended up losing the match, gave Smolik a friendly fist-bump when he returned from the bathroom.
But some darts fans felt the Finnish thrower should have kicked up more of a fuss about the disruption at a crucial point in the leg.
Even three-time Lakeside champion Glen Durrant chimed in as the clip did the rounds on social media, writing: “Dear me !!”
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The score was tied at 1-1 when Smolik scurried off to the toilet, but he found an extra gear thereafter to claim a 3-1 victory.
The 46-year-old even managed a 127 checkout to take the match and send Kantele packing.
The WDF World Darts Championship – organised by the body that replaced the BDO, which collapsed in 2020 – is on until December 7.
Darts fans will then be getting stuck into the full-blooded PDC World Darts Championship, which starts on December 11 at Ally Pally.
Luke Littler is the red-hot favourite to retain his global crown and clinch the newly-boosted £1MILLION top prize.
