Friday 18 December 2015 14:35, UK
"How's the kids, Dave?" said one banana to another, as they strolled up Alexandra Palace hill towards the darts. "Fine, mate," replied the second banana, as he adjusted his fancy dress in advance of the evening's antics.
Nowhere else except the World Darts Championship would a conversation of that nature seem normal - alongside the two bananas strolled in a rowdy mob of nuns, the cast of The Wizard of Oz and an American football team.
The Ally Pally festivities truly kicked into gear when the doors opened to a queue of magnificently attired fans - the traditional fancy dress has made the World Darts Championship a feel-good event at a time of the year when worries are left behind.
The hard work, as Sky Sports discovered during a day of undercover operations at the heart of Ally Pally, began long before the crowds waded in and probably even before our two banana friends had chosen their outfits.
The World Darts Championship can be a bizarre place when there are no arrows being thrown - it appeared that not everyone in fancy dress was happy about it, judging by the sausage who sought assurances from security that nobody would topple him over. He proceeded to trip over his own feet with his butch acquaintances unwilling to help.
For some, the stakes are even higher than crashing to the ground in a sausage outfit. Sky Sports were lucky enough to be serenaded with a private rendition of the night's entertainment from the four glamorous dancers, who meticulously practised their art behind a grubby trailer before their time came to steal the show.
Meanwhile in the media room, Wayne Mardle scribbled last-gasp ramblings into his 'dossier of darts' - a thick, black book that he has kept with the results of every player dating back years. The level of depth to his research into every participant was remarkable and he spent hours analysing the data before heading into the commentary booth. John McDonald, the MC, arrived with a selection of shirts before changing into his immaculate suit and, wherever he roamed during the afternoon, his booming voice entered a room long before he did.
As the food stalls were set up and security staff began to tighten their belts as the day wore on, it became clear that the World Darts Championship had everybody in a good mood. "I come here every year because I love the arrows," one man in a coffee stall told us. "I don't sell much coffee here, though."
A security force that would have looked at home in an East End gangster move also showed their lighter side - it was all smiles as they patted down a group of punters dressed as Peter 'Snakebite' Wright.
Eventually, an arena that has been restructured to increase the capacity and volume became full of supporters eager to watch the most fun-loving, light-hearted sport on offer. For those at the oche in the next two weeks it will be a stressful experience but, for everybody watching at Ally Pally or following Sky Sports' live coverage, there is no better way to end the Christmas period.
You can watch the PDC World Darts Championship live on Sky Sports between December 17-January 3.
Non-subscribers can also enjoy daily, weekly or monthly access to Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports other six channels contract-free with NOW TV.
