ANDREW GILDING has gone from being housebound to a household name as one of the world's finest darts players. The thrower- nicknamed "Goldfinger" - will be hoping he's got the golden touch at the PDC World Darts Championship. Andrew Gilding is a darts pro from Bungay, England, who was born on December 7, 1970.
![[Andrew Gilding is hoping for a merry Christmas at Ally Pally]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image_b5361d.png?strip=all&w=620)
As of December 2024, he's ranked No 21 on the PDC Order of Merit. Andrew has made a remarkable journey from obscurity to becoming a major champion in the sport. However, his path to darts stardom was both unconventional and inspiring. Andrew worked a number of jobs before finding success in darts, including holding down a position in a chicken factory and a stint at an abattoir in the butchery section, jointing pork.
![[Andrew Gilding gave himself the nickname 'Goldfinger' afte set of Phil Taylor Phase Five darts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/andrew-gilding-england-action-day-801108467.jpg?strip=all&w=758)
In his early 30s, he faced significant mental health challenges that led to him becoming a recluse. He spent most of his time indoors, isolated from the outside world. The turning point in Andrew's life came when he joined a church band. He played guitar for the Emmanuel Church in his hometown of Bungay, Suffolk.
He explained: “They got me to join the band. “I took the first tentative steps outside. I went from a reclusive, stay-at-home, depressed person. “I was even singing at one point, in a group of four of us doing a cappella. READ MORE on all the build-up to the Ally Pally extravaganza...
All the info:. News, features and interviews:. “It was the most terrifying moment of my life and also great preparation for the big stage. “It was in front of 50 in a congregation. Just the fact that I had to get up there and sing, it was a nerve-racking experience.
