competition held at after chants of 'Jesus' from other
spectators became too loud
A darts fan was kicked out of a live televised final after the
4,500-strong crowd interrupted play by taunting him –
because he looks like Jesus.
Nathan Grindal was enjoying the clash between Phil Taylor and
Kim Huybrechts when some of the audience spotted his
likeness to the son of God.
Chants of 'Jesus' quickly spread through the rowdy crowd
packed into Butlins' at Minehead, Somerset.
Security staff were called amid fears that Nathan's
omnipresence was upsetting the concentration of ex-world
champ Taylor and his Belgian rival.
The labourer was close to tears as six bouncers removed him
from the Cash Converters Players' Championship which was
being shown on ITV4.
As he left a chant of 'Stand up if you love Jesus' broke out with
many of the boozed-up crowd getting to their feet.
Nathan, 33, was escorted to a nearby bar where the security
staff bought him a pint and told him to watch the rest of the
final on the telly.
He saw the legendary Taylor win – and then found himself
being asked to pose for signed photos with fans as they left
the arena.
Blond-haired Nathan, who emigrated from his native Australia
to Oxford six years ago, said: "I didn't go to the darts dressed
as Jesus – I went as me.
"It was all very weird and distressing. I didn't break down
crying but I did get emotionally distraught.
"They were bullying me and picking on me, saying that I was
someone else.
"It would have been okay if the security hadn't made a fuss
getting me out of the arena.
"I was evicted for something I have no control over. I felt
discriminated against."
Nathan, who began growing his beard four months ago, had
booked a three-day stay at Butlins earlier this month with five
pals to watch the darts.
He added: "After the tournament ended, I must admit a lot of
people went to get autographs and signed photos from me.
"I signed a few pieces of paper – but in my real name, not
Jesus.
"In his post-match interview, Phil Taylor said something like 'if
I ever see Jesus again, I'll crucify him myself.' Now that's just
hurtful.
"I love darts, but I'm worried about ever going to see it live
again, just in case the crowd turns on me like they did last
time."
Dave Allen, spokesman for the Professional Darts Corporation,
said Nathan was ejected to prevent his presence becoming a
nuisance to the players.
He said: "There was a lot of chanting of Jesus and I think to
avoid it becoming too much of a distraction for the players he
was taken by security to another part of the complex.
"We want everyone who comes to have a good time and we
do not want one fan to become a problem for the players and
to possibly affect play."
He added: "There is plenty of audience participation. They are
encouraged to support the players within certain boundaries.
"The fact they can buy four-pint pitchers certainly helps."
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