Who is Cameron Menzies as player apologises for table punch following defeat to Charlie Manby

Darts star Cameron Menzies provoked boos from the crowd at the World Darts Championship after punching a table in frustration following a first round defeat. The 36-year-old was angry after throwing away a two-sets-to-one lead in a match-up against Charlie Manby - losing the tie 3-2.

The Scot’s frustration boiled over after 20-year-old Manby, of Huddersfield, landed a double one to clinch victory at Ally Pally. He was visibly shaken after the defeat as he congratulated Manby, and punched the underside of the table three times as his opponent celebrated nearby.

Water bottles tumbled from the table, drawing boos from the crowd, with Menzies raising his hands in apology as he left the stage. It was the second time in as many years Menzies has exited at the first round stage of the tournament, at Alexandra Palace. Last year, he broke down in tears during and after a loss to Leonard Gates.

Watching the drama unfold, Sky Sports commentator Glen Durrant said: “It wasn’t the ending we all want to see. For Cameron Menzies, I think he will regret that for the rest of his life, it wasn’t a good watch.”

And Menzies, who was left with a bloodied hand after the incident, later apologised for his “emotional” reaction, blaming it in part on the recent loss of a relative. He said: “First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened. I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did.”

“It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.

“It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. I saw him four days before he died and he gave me a look which told me how much he thought of me.

“Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that hasn’t been lost on me.

“Let me say again, that’s no excuse for what I did on the stage. It was the wrong thing to do and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well.

“This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes, I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn’t right.”