A rising star catching up with his rap idol 50 Cent, the former world no 1 living it up in Ibiza… and the Dutchman who works on an aubergine farm! How darts’ millionaires spend their time away from the oche

Beautiful dress. Iconic walk-on music. Oh, and 180s galore. That's right, the World Darts Championship is back in town.

The latest edition of one of the sporting calendar's biggest events gets underway at Alexandra Palace on Friday, with Michael Smith looking to retain the title he first won in January.

He won't have it all his way, however, with defeated finalist and last year's three-time champion Michael van Gerwen looking to get back to the top, while former winners Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson will also be looking to take their chances.

Then you have England's Luke Humphries, who has won two recent TV tournaments to climb the rankings and establish himself as a major contender.

But it's not just about the darts for these players. They also have some fascinating hobbies outside of the oche, and Mailsport has picked some of the best before the sport's biggest stars head to Ally Pally.

Van Gerwen kicks back in Ibiza

Van Gerwen has barely been away from the oche for a week as he continues his quest to go down in history as one of the greatest players to have played the game.

The 34-year-old has not won the World Cup for almost five years but remains a force to be reckoned with after triumphing in the Premier League for the seventh time this year.

When he does tear himself away from the dartboard, Van Gerwen enjoys a trip abroad and treats his wife Daphne to a holiday to Ibiza in August to celebrate their nine-year anniversary.

The couple were joined by their two children on the Balearic Island as they took a boat trip and hit the beach in the blazing sun.

Van Gerwen has also shown that he is a good chef and showed off his culinary skills on Instagram earlier this year when he grilled a huge chicken.

He was clearly eager to taste his food and captioned the photo: 'TIME TO EAT! Nice weather today to fire up the grill outside.'

Price throws himself into rugby

Gerwyn Price is a multiple major winner and will be looking for his second world title this year after winning the biggest prize in the darts world in 2021.

However, the Welshman is not content with playing just one sport and has also tried his hand at rugby.

It turns out he's actually quite good at it, having played for Welsh rugby clubs Neath and Cross Keys, plus Scotland's Glasgow Warriors.

He has also switched codes, meaning rugby league side South Wales Scorpions.

He ended his rugby career in 2014 to concentrate on darts, but this could explain why 'The Iceman' is always ready for a battle on stage at the biggest events, having been involved in one of the most physical sports in the world world.

Price never takes a step back, and that approach has made him a world beater in recent years.

Van Duijvenbode is an 'Aubergenius'

Dirk van Duijvenbode is an eccentric character, as evidenced by his choice of walk-on music – 'Just Like You' by Dutch hardstyle DJ Radical Redemption – which immediately gets the audience moving to get the action going.

Besides playing darts, he also has a quirky job: working on an eggplant farm.

The Dutch star has previously explained that he has had the job since he was 15, meaning he has spent more than half his life working on the farm.

It has earned him the nickname 'Aubergenius', although he is often introduced at darts events as 'The Titan'. We let you decide which one is better.

Van Duijvenbode likes to make his love of aubergines known and famously brought one on stage at the 2021 World Championship, although unfortunately this was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning fans couldn't join in the fun.

He also had an eggplant thrown his way earlier this year during a match against fellow countryman Danny Noppert. Van Duijvenbode saw the funny side as he grinned before focusing back on the job at hand.

Humphries holidays with young family

Humphries has had a breakthrough year in 2023, winning the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.

Outside of the board, his focus appears to be on raising a young family with his partner Kayley Jones.

The couple have a nine-year-old daughter named Gracie, while son Rowan was born in October 2022.

Humphries shared photos of a family vacation at a swanky hotel on Instagram in August.

He posed for photos with Rowan in the pool, showed off the food on offer at the hotel and the family went to a fair.

The 28-year-old branded it a 'great holiday' but is now fully focused on continuing his stunning form to become world champion for the first time.

Aspinall found 'In Da Club'

Nathan Aspinall has rocketed up the rankings in recent times and capped his rise by winning this year's World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Last month he also literally came into contact with a rap legend when he went to a 50 Cent concert.

The American musician, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is touring Britain to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his iconic first album Get Rich or Die Tryin', which featured the memorable hit 'In Da Club'.

Aspinall attended one of the performances and even met 50 Cent after the show.

The unlikely duo posed for photos backstage, with Aspinall giving a glowing reference to the evening on Instagram.

Alongside the image of himself and 50 Cent back to back, Aspinall wrote: “What an incredible night watching @50cent. He was unreal. What a show and even better, we met the legend after the event and he was a sick man. Best night ever.'

Smith 'completes' life

Smith is the reigning world champion and was keen to remind everyone of his achievement when he visited Las Vegas in April.

The St Helens-born star posted a video to social media of himself kicking back and relaxing in an outdoor jacuzzi, with the caption: 'World champion, number 1 in the world and now life. I finished it, buddy.”

He accompanied the video with a photo of himself smoking a giant cigar.

Smith also has an interest in horse racing and becomes involved in the sport.

He owns a horse called HipFlask as part of a syndicate with close friend Shane Peckover, fellow darts star Chris Dobey and Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell.

Smith has been seen at the races over the years and was in Uttoxeter in May to cheer on his horse.