Every sport has its nice guys: those players that are ultra popular wherever they go.
Steve Beaton is one of darts’ most likeable individuals. And his popularity will go through the roof if he is able to guide England to glory at the MODUS International Pairs event in April.
The Bronzed Adonis will team up with another popular dartist, Fallon Sherrock, as they look to claim glory for their country in the event held at Portsmouth from April 20-25.
For Beaton, it would cap what has been a remarkable 35-year career at the top of the sport.
International Pedigree
There will be no shortage of pedigree at the MODUS International Pairs event, with one of the surprise stars of the 2026 PDC World Championships – David Munyua – set to represent Kenya. The 30-year-old is priced at 1,000/1 in the World Darts odds for the 2027 edition, which of course is a long way behind more fancied runners such as Luke Humphries (6/1) and Michael van Gerwen (16/1).
But those placing their darts bets also didn’t expect Munyua to defeat Mike De Decker, the former World Grand Prix winner, in the first round at the Alexandra Palace. But that’s exactly what the Kenyan did, landing a historic 3-2 victory over the Belgian.
𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗬𝗨𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬! 🇰🇪
Kenya’s David Munyua comes from two sets down to defeat former World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker in one of the biggest upsets in World Championship history! pic.twitter.com/gkMEJ0yKSW
— Live Darts (@livedarts) December 18, 2025
Munyua had never even been outside of Africa, let alone played elite level darts, prior to December’s showpiece, so his win was evidence of the deep talent pool in the sport right now.
He and his Kenyan teammate Peter Wachiuri will be a challenging duo for the rest, as will the Belgian pair of Andy Baetens – the 2023 WDF world champion – and former WDF number one Brian Raman.
The runners up in the first two editions of the International Pairs, Wales’ Richie Burnett and Kurt Parry, will be looking to go one better this time around, while the defending champions – Ireland’s John O’Shea and Conor Heneghan – will be hoping to retain their crown.
Age Is But a Number
It’s testament to Beaton’s longevity in darts that he’s still doing remarkable things when he toes the oche even now at the sprightly age of 61.
In January, the Coventry-born thrower delivered the perfect nine-dart finish in a PDC Challenge Tour event. And while things haven’t quite gone to plan on the second-tier circuit so far in 2026, Beaton has run into some classy opponents and big averages along the way.
NINE DARTER IN MILTON KEYNES
Steve Beaton has struck perfection at Event One of the Challenge Tour at Arena MK!
‘The Bronzed Adonis’ has taken out a nine-darter to win his second match of the day against Ryan O’Connor!
https://t.co/Ui7A8dfxma pic.twitter.com/9w8LTm07lc
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 16, 2026
A run to the quarter finals of Challenge Tour 3 confirms that Beaton still has that winning mentality – some 33 years after he first tasted international glory at the WDF World Cup.
All eyes will be on the Bronzed Adonis and Sherrock, who made history when becoming the first woman to win a World Championship game at the Alexandra Palace back in 2019.
Her victims were another West Midlands dartist in Ted Evetts and former ranking event winner Mensur Suljovic, so the ‘Queen of the Palace’ is a player that is clearly comfortable in the spotlight.
On paper, Beaton and Sherrock look to be an excellent duo, although a lack of competitive playing time for both in 2026 may just count against them.
Whatever happens, you know that Beaton will be upbeat and smiling, as he has been for more than three decades of toeing the oche.
Article by Ben Spencer.
