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'He would have to win the World Championship twice' - Robert Marijanovic rules out Premier League nomination for Andrew Gilding

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 1, 2025 10:36 AM ET

In the debut episode of their new podcast “Darts on the #1”, Gabriel Clemens, Robert Marijanovic and Marcel Althaus take a closer look at one of darts’ most enigmatic figures: Andrew Gilding. What starts as a light-hearted debate quickly evolves into a serious discussion about what it really takes to earn a Premier League invitation in today’s PDC landscape.

Is on-stage performance still the top priority? Or have charisma, social media presence and marketability taken the lead in determining who makes the cut?

The Silent Star: Gilding’s Growing Aura

Andrew Gilding is becoming harder to ignore—but not because of his words or antics. His appeal lies in his calm, unbothered presence, his iconic thumbs-up gesture, and his near-mystical focus. “He’s definitely a super player,” says Gabriel Clemens, while the question of Premier League selection sparks debate.

Robert Marijanovic is blunt: “I think Gilding would have to win the World Championship twice to get into the Premier League.” Gilding’s second consecutive run to the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay certainly didn’t go unnoticed, but is it enough?

TikToks, Thumbs and Cult Status

Marcel Althaus believes Gilding’s quiet rise is becoming louder thanks to the internet: “I have the feeling Gilding is turning into a bit of a cult figure.”

Viral TikTok edits and memes have brought his unique quirks—particularly that now-famous thumbs-up—to a younger audience. “If people are making TikTok edits of Andrew Gilding, then he’s connecting with a different generation,” Althaus says.

Clemens remains unsure: “I don’t know whether he’s doing it on purpose—or whether he really just feels it.” Marijanovic adds: “He’s not putting on a show—he’s just like that. But he’s also getting a real push from people like Dan Dawson.”

The Harsh Reality: "He Has to Win More Than Others"

Despite the growing popularity, Marijanovic is skeptical about Gilding’s chances of breaking into the Premier League. “There are players who need to win more than others to be considered—and Gilding is one of them.” His UK Open title in 2023 didn’t tip the scales. “I think he would have had to win another major just to get into the conversation.” Althaus disagrees, provocatively suggesting: “I think they’d invite Gilding to the Premier League before James Wade.” That comment stuns both Clemens and Marijanovic, sparking a lively exchange.

Andrew Gilding caused a sensation in Blackpool with his second World Matchplay quarter-final in a row

Showmanship vs. Substance

Althaus admires Gilding’s presence: “He’s very unique on the board—I enjoy watching him.” But he questions whether Wade still offers a compelling show: “For 20 years, it’s been the same thing—the same statements, the same playing style.”

Marijanovic isn’t having it: "Gilding is far too nice for today’s social media world. James Wade is ice-cold. He reads everything written about him—and doesn’t care.” Clemens agrees: “He knows he’s the villain—and he plays that role perfectly.”

The Quiet Opponent: How Gilding Unnerves the Best

Both Clemens and Marijanovic have lost to Gilding—and remember it well. “I was 5-1 up. Then I lost. Of course,” Marijanovic sighs. “He’s just so hard to read. No small talk, no emotion—apart from the thumb. That’s it.”

Clemens echoes the sentiment: “You’ve got nothing to react to. He just does his thing—no jokes, no movement. Nothing.”

Physical Concerns: A Hidden Barrier?

Marijanovic brings up a little-discussed topic that might matter more than people realise—Gilding’s health. “I think I once saw him wearing a corset or some kind of brace. Possibly for back problems.” With the Premier League's demanding travel and schedule, any lingering physical issue could be a serious hurdle. "That kind of pain doesn’t get better under pressure.”

A Cult Hero, But Still an Outsider

Gilding is, in many ways, a darts purist’s dream: calm, composed, clinical. He’s quietly built a fan base and carved out his own identity in a sport increasingly driven by showbiz and clicks. But he remains on the fringes of the Premier League discussion. As Marijanovic summarises: “If Gilding reaches the quarter-finals, no one talks about the Premier League. If Schindler does, he’s suddenly one of the top contenders.”

In the modern darts circus, substance alone might not be enough. And for Andrew Gilding, the road to the Premier League remains a uniquely steep climb.

This article first appeared on Dartsnews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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