Footage of what darts looked like 50 years ago inside Ally Pally has caught people off guard

The weird and wonderful sport of darts has changed dramatically in the past 50 years or so.

Fancy dress outfits and chanting has become the norm as players enter the stage to their own theme song but half a century ago, the Alexandra Palace staged a very different spectacle, featuring long-sleeved shirts, suits and cigarettes.

Back in 1974, four million viewers tuned in to watch London champion Peter Chapman secure a historic title after beating Paul Gosling in the News of the World championship final.

In total, more than 12,000 people crammed into the Palace to witness Chapman, who often puffed on a cigarette, secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over his opponent, from Truro's Portscatho Club.

As you can see in the footage below, a single camera angle rather than the modern day split screen made it difficult to watch, but that didn't stop millions from witnessing Chapman's achievement.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the clip.

One said: "This was very amusing to watch. Today's crowds could learn from these video's when everybody starts cheering when they throw a ton. Also, that 115 finish from Chapman was outstanding."

A second wrote: "Funny how the crowds were so big when they couldn't possibly see what was happening because there weren't any big screens," while a third commented: "This is amazing to see. Shirt and ties the lot."

A fourth said: "Playing darts in a coat. I've never seen that before," and a fifth wrote: "I wish the modern dart game would go back to an 8ft. throw."

One of the main reasons behind darts' so-called revolution down the years is former PDC chairman Barry Hearn, who allowed players to wear what they wanted, while walk-on music became a mainstay.

After attending the World Championships, which was then held at the Circus Tavern, an inspired Hearn decided to make some decisive changes.

“I was trying to make everyone more famous,” he said in an interview with GQ Magazine.

“In sport, you have to be famous. You cannot be a secret. When I walked into the Circus Tavern, these players were very well known but only to a limited number of people. So the first job was to widen the net to make sure they were personalities in their own right, hence the nicknames, the entry music, etc.

“I remember a player called Steve Hine once came up to me and said, ‘I used to be a baker. When I walk in, is it all right if I wear one of those baker’s hats and throw muffins to the crowd?’ I went, ‘What do you mean, ‘Is it all right?’ That’s f****** brilliant, son.” And he became The Muffin Man.

"That wasn’t someone who just wanted to take the money. He felt he was someone and the crowd related to him. And they wanted a free muffin as well."

Hearn added: “Look at Snakebite – Peter Wright. He’s been playing darts all his life, but no one knew him. He was just a good county player. Suddenly he and his wife invented a persona. ‘Can I wear different colour trousers?’

"The rule was that you had to wear black trousers. That was ridiculous. ‘Of course you can, Peter.’ ‘Can my wife paint these things on my head?’ ‘You’re going to look ridiculous, but carry on…’ Next thing you know, he’s created a personality.”