‘The Man of Men badge is part of my uniform’: Darts ref Charlie’s prostate cancer callout

If you’ve been watching the action at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, you’ll have heard his voice already. But every time Charlie Corstorphine booms out ‘one hundred and eighty’ at this year’s tournament, he knows there’s more than just a darts match on the line. 

That’s because every maximum called by Charlie and the team of officials at Alexandra Palace will trigger a £1,000 donation to support our work, thanks to Paddy Power and The BIGGER 180. 

In the first five days of darting action, the world’s top players have fired in more than 200 treble trebles to the delight of the Ally Pally crowd. And Christian Kist’s sensational nine-dart finish has landed an extra £60,000 towards our TRANSFORM screening trial – plus another £60,000 for Kist himself and £60,000 for one lucky darts fan. 

“There were definitely some butterflies before Christian threw for the double 12 because I knew we were potentially going to witness something very special,” said Charlie.  

“As soon as that ninth dart landed I could hardly hear myself speak on the mic as the Ally Pally crowd erupted behind me. 

“I'm absolutely delighted knowing another £60,000 is on its way to Prostate Cancer UK. It’s very fitting I just happened to be the referee at the time. It’s like it was meant to be.” 

‘My grandad was a true hero and an inspiration’

Charlie, who is making his refereeing debut at Ally Pally this year, knows every magic moment at the sport’s showpiece event will make a big impact for men who are affected by prostate cancer. In fact, it’s a cause close to his heart – after he lost his grandad to the disease in 2021. 

“My grandad was an absolute warrior,” said Charlie. “He had gone to his GP following anomalies with his urine back in 2000 and he was then referred for a biopsy. 

“Initially he wanted to cancel his hospital appointment but my nan convinced him otherwise - that it was better to be safe. That decision probably gave him another 20 years of life. 

“He never complained despite his numerous challenges - not to mention the endless medication he had to take daily - and he always carried on with life with a smile on his face. 

“In my eyes he’s a true hero who’s inspired me, not just with my work for Prostate Cancer UK but life itself.” 

The ‘running ref’ who’s covered hundreds of miles to raise funds

Recently, Charlie ran and walked 266 miles as part of our Prostate United challenge, raising more than £2,000 in the process. 

And the darts fraternity he’s come to know so well will continue to raise vital funds each time they hit the oche this Christmas. 

“Prostate Cancer UK do an incredible job within the darts world and it's great to see so many players and officials supporting them by wearing the ‘Man of Men’ badge,” he added. 

“With millions of viewers tuning in each week, it’s allowed maximum exposure to the cause and I’m so pleased to see Paddy Power teaming up with them again at the World Darts Championship.  

“For me, the ‘Man of Men’ badge is an important part of my uniform. It represents my grandad who played a pivotal role in getting me to ref on the biggest darting stages in the world.  

“I rarely referee without it on my shirt and I'm proud I can continue to spread the awareness through my profession.” 

‘We need to talk more about prostate cancer – and what better way than through darts?’

The grandest darting stage of them all is at the Ally Pally where Corstorphine is a crucial part of the action as the world’s star players compete for the famous Sid Waddell Trophy. 

“Being able to promote Prostate Cancer UK through my profession is unbelievable,” Charlie added. “And obviously wearing that badge, it means [my grandad] is going to be there with me when I do it. 

“It’s a wonderful cause. And it’s probably one we need to talk about a lot more. Unfortunately, people are diagnosed too late, and we need to make men more aware of their risk. Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker is a great place to start. 

“Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes and 1 in 8 men will get it in their lifetime. So we need to really try and bring the numbers down. And what better way to do it than through the sport of darts?” 

Enjoy the Ally Pally action and get behind The BIGGER 180!

As the official charity partner of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, we’ll be there for every arrow – right through to the final on 3 January.   

You can throw your support behind The BIGGER 180 too. Check your risk of prostate cancer today. And if you’ve done it already, talk to the men in your life and ask them to check their risk too. It only takes 30 seconds. 

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