Middlesbrough darts ace Glen Durrant may keep his Duzza nickname after all

There were some cracking suggestions in our online poll - everything ranging from The Transporter to Oche Balboa after he put Martin Adams on the ropes.

But Teesside darts sensation Glen Durrant might ditch his plan to adopt a new nickname after all.

Boro boy Glen captured the area’s imagination with his epic run to his first Lakeside semi-final last week and was three match darts away from making the final.

The 44-year-old Ormesby thrower went on Boro fans’ forum Fly Me To The Moon to thank everyone for their support following his narrow 6-5 defeat to three-time world champion Adams.

And the Gazette published an online poll after he invited suggestions for a new nickname to replace his current Duzza moniker.

Ideas ranged from Lionheart to Iron Man, and there were plenty of Teesside-themed submissions like the aforementioned Transporter and Parmo Man.

But while he is currently getting to grips with life as a new household name, Durrant - who will be introduced to Boro fans on the pitch at half-time during tomorrow’s home game against Huddersfield following his Lakeside heroics - could keep his Duzza handle after all.

“I’m flattered once again that there’s been so much interest in it all and with the response,” he said.

“There’s been some great suggestions. I liked Lionheart, Iron Man, Iron Ore, Oche Balboa.

“But for every new one I’ve heard, there’s been someone saying they like Duzza.

“I would like to call myself something like The Transporter, but it wouldn’t mean anything to anyone from outside the area.

“I used Smoggy on the back of my shirt for my first year on the circuit, but so many Dutch people asked me what it meant that I got sick of explaining and dropped it.

“Maybe I will just keep my current nickname.”

Durrant is revelling in his new-found celebrity status regardless of his nickname poser and says he is already moving on from the Adams defeat.

“I’ve been on the radio every morning and I was in the Gazette three times one day, which was quite something,” he said.

“And I’ve had cheers from everyone at Coast and Country Housing where I work, from the chief executive to the cleaner.

“The adrenaline of it all is brilliant and I can’t wait for the Boro match tomorrow.

“I’m so excited I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.”