Richard Ashdown is an English darts master of ceremonies, caller, "spotter", scorer and referee who has worked for the game's governing body in the United Kingdom the British Darts Organisation since 2013 onwards, as well as other bodies such as the English Darts Organisation. It was announced on 20 April 2013 that Ashdown would be the new Master of Ceremonies at the BDO World Darts Championship from 2014 onwards, replacing Martin Fitzmaurice who had resigned the week previously. In July 2019, Ashdown resigned as Master of Ceremonies and Head Referee For both the British Darts Organisation and the England Darts Organisation. Yet claimed that it would not be in order to defect to the Professional Darts Organisation despite his retained position as their 2nd Master of Ceremonies for part time purposes. Ashdown is affectionately known as "Little Richard", in reference to his short height of 160cm.
Early life
Ashdown was born in Harlow, Essex however moved to Newmarket at the age of nine. At the age of 14, Ashdown got involved in darts by playing youth county darts for Cambridgeshire county, where he discovered his love for the game. Ashdown pursued accountancy after leaving school and worked as an accounts assistant and credit controller until turning professional in darts in 2006. Ashdown met his wife Kathy through his work in accounts, and they married in 2005.
Darts career
Ashdown met the 1994 BDO World Darts Championship runner-up, Bobby George, at a darts exhibition event at the age of 16 and, on speaking to him, George noticed Ashdown's keenness and knowledge of the maths of the game and the checkouts. The two remained friends and in 2002, George approached Ashdown about "spotting" for BBC Sport when their usual employee did not turn up at the venue, and also started to use Ashdown as the regular MC for his exhibitions, where he gained much experience. Ever since Ashdown has been the main spotter for the BBC and has performed the role at every BDO World Championship between 2002 and 2013. Ashdown has been a regular Master of Ceremonies for many established players and events, and made his television debut during the 2007 International Darts League, and later that year the World Darts Trophy. Ashdown has been, and remains, the main Master of Ceremonies and referee for many darts organisations around Europe. His main role has been with the English Darts Organisation and has been their main MC since their inauguration in 2007. Richard also regularly travels to Europe and even Australia to be the MC at exhibitions and at the top ranking events of various darts organisations around the globe, including events for the world governing body of darts, the World Darts Federation
BDO breakthrough
Ashdown had not undertaken any work as MC with the British Darts Organisation prior to April 2013, who used Martin Fitzmaurice as their main MC in both open events and in both their televised events, the BDO World Darts Championship and the Winmau World Masters. On 11 April 2013, Fitzmaurice announced that he had offered his resignation from the BDO which had been accepted, following an on-camera incident at an event in Scotland four days previously. On 20 April, the BDO announced Ashdown as his successor. Ashdown made his first appearance on television for the BDO in October 2013 at the 2013 Winmau World Masters. He will also be their main MC at all other BDO events.
