Justin Hood delivered an absolutely stunning performance this afternoon, demolishing Josh Rock 4-0 to book his place in the PDC World Darts Championship quarter-finals.
The 32-year-old, affectionately known as “Happy Feet,” was near-perfect at the oche, hitting an incredible 11 out of 11 doubles during the match.
He only faltered in the closing legs, narrowly missing out on what would have been a flawless display.
The victory means Hood is now guaranteed £100,000 in prize money, a life-changing sum for the former hotel porter.
Justin Hood demolished Josh Rock with an incredible 4-0 thrashing
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He’ll face either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson in the last eight on New Year’s Day.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Hood was characteristically modest: “Not a fairytale. I know what I could do and it’s nice to prove it up here.”
Hood’s path to the Ally Pally stage is nothing short of remarkable.
The Glastonbury-raised thrower spent a decade working night shifts in a warehouse before he and his partner took jobs as night porters at a hotel, living above the premises.
In mid-November 2024, he made the boldest decision of his life, quitting his job and betting everything on becoming a professional darts player.
“I took the gamble, spent all our savings on a hotel down Milton Keynes for eight weeks and it paid off,” Hood explained.
He stayed in the cheapest accommodation he could find while competing at Q School last January, describing it as “not the best experience.”
Josh Rock was full of praise for Justin Hood after his momentous win
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But the sacrifice worked, earning him his tour card and setting up this extraordinary debut run.
His unusual nickname has quite the backstory.
At 18, Hood turned up to a county match wearing trainers, only to discover players had to wear black shoes.
With size nine feet, he was forced to borrow a mate’s size 13 pair.
“Went on stage, toed the oche, and it looked like flippers. They just bent back,” Hood recalled.
“Ever since then it was Happy Feet and it’s just stuck. After the film, the Penguins.”
Standing at just 5ft 4in, he’s one of the smallest players on the professional circuit, but his personality is anything but small.
Hood has become a real crowd favourite, celebrating victories by sticking out his tongue and lifting his shirt to reveal his belly, which he cheerfully admits is fuelled by Chinese food.
For 15 years, Hood has harboured a dream of opening his own Chinese restaurant.
JUSTIN HOOD BEATS JOSH ROCK WITH A 75% CHECKOUT SUCCESS! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/U6pk9p1U02
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 30, 2025
“I just love Chinese food,” he said simply.
The problem? He kept spending his money on takeaways rather than saving for the business.
“I kept spending it on the food!” he joked.
But with £100,000 now secured, that long-held ambition finally looks achievable.
Hood revealed he already has interested parties lined up and believes one more victory could seal the deal.
Justin Hood has quickly become a fan favourite at the Alexandra Palace
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“We’re getting closer though. I’ve got a few people that are interested, so one more win, I reckon. Next year it could happen,” he said.
Asked what the guaranteed prize money meant to him, Hood’s response was pure gold: “Who wants a Chinese?”
