Aussie Nathan Grindal, Aka 'Jesus', Ejected from UK Darts Tournament

Aussie's resemblance to Jesus has seen him ejected from a UK darts tournament for the second year running. And now the greatest player in the sport has made a plea for him to be allowed to watch the upcoming PDC World Championships without being removed by security.

Mild-mannered Nathan Grindal was enjoying the clash between Phil Taylor and Kim Huybrechts at the Cash Converter Players Championship last year when some of the audience spotted his likeness to the son of God.

As rowdy chants of "Jesus" quickly spread through the crowd packed into Butlins at Minehead in the UK, security staff was called and Mr Grindal was ejected for fear he was ruining the concentration of ex-world champ Taylor and his Belgian rival. But this year, Mr Grindal was not even allowed in - despite spending 450 pounds ($810) on the return trip.

He said he went to collect his tickets when "two big beef-head security guards, including the head of security, dragged me into the office where they told me they wouldn't let me watch the darts this year.

Now 53-year-old world champion Taylor - who jokingly said he would "crucify" Grindal if he got his hands on him after the initial incident last year, has stepped in with a seasonal truce.

‘The Power' says all saviours will be welcome as he bids for a 17th world title... if they follow the spectators' protocol.

“Every year we get people dressed as Superman, Spiderman, Thunderbirds and nuns coming to the world championship, and the punters in fancy dress add to the fantastic atmosphere of the occasion," he said. 

“I see no reason why we should not let a bloke who looks like Jesus enjoy the spectacle - as long as he observes the rules like everybody else.

Grindal, who lives in Abingdon, Oxfordshire after moving to the UK from Australia seven years ago, has been to at least six darts events without incident since he was removed by six bouncers from last year's tournament. But at this year's Players Championship, he was told to pack his bags and be gone by 2pm.

“I booked the tickets back in February in my own name and nobody said there was a problem, and I even managed to get some VIP tickets sorted," he said.

“We checked in, had a couple of beers with our breakfast, and then decided to go and collect the VIP tickets. When I got there a lady at the counter asked if I was the Jesus bloke who came to the darts. She told me she was there last year, and thought it was hilarious, especially when a bloke in a wheelchair stood up and walked in front of me. Up until this point, nobody had recognised me at all."

Mr Grindal, who has survived skin cancer twice, started growing his beard last year and keeps it long to hide scars.

He was mobbed by fans as he left last year's match, desperate for a picture with him. At the time he said: "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'm being discriminated against because I look like the son of God. It's really distressing."

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