Sky Sports presenter Polly James has hit back at critics of her neck tattoo, revealing the challenges she’s faced as she navigates public scrutiny while hosting coverage of the PDC World Darts Championship.
James, 38, has become a prominent figure at this year’s darts event, conducting post-match interviews with top players and gaining widespread visibility. Despite her success, some viewers have taken issue with her tattoo, which is partially visible during her broadcasts. The tattoo, which features a rose, is often seen peeking over her collar, sparking negative attention from a segment of the audience.
James addressed the online criticism, asserting that the comments about her appearance don’t bother her, but criticism of her professional work does.
“I do get a lot of c**p about the neck tattoo,” James shared. “More so now, but that is because there are more eyes on darts. It goes over my head. Say what you like about my appearance, I don’t care… but please don’t criticise my work, because that really hits hard, and that generally doesn’t happen.”
James emphasized her pride in her role within the darts community, noting how she feels privileged to be part of the event. “I get on with a lot of darts people. I’m in such a privileged position to do what I do, but I don’t want to lose sight of what it is like to be a darts fan. I’m on their side, not on the other side, so to speak. I just have an incredible role to play.”
In addition to her work with Sky Sports, James has an extensive media background. She has contributed to various programmes, including Late Night Football Club and BBC One’s chat show during Wales’ participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
James also spoke about her introduction to the darts world, recounting her first visit to London’s Alexandra Palace in 2009. “The first time I started working at the darts was one of those things where I didn’t know if I wanted to mix pleasure with work,” she recalled. Her career trajectory took a turn in 2019 when she was invited to conduct post-match interviews for the Premier League Darts. “I thought I’d love to do that and give it a shot. It went from there, and the following year I started working for Sky.”
The presenter has long been open about her tattoos, explaining in a December interview with The Sun that each design holds deep personal significance. On her neck, she has the word “Family” on one side and a rose on the other, both symbols that reflect the importance of her loved ones.
“I have rhino skin when it comes to the social media hate about my tattoos,” she admitted. “You have to be like that when you work on a platform with radio and TV. Even though I have that hard shell, I can still be soft. I really take pride in my work, so I just wish sometimes people would judge me on my work, not my appearance.”
James’ candid response highlights the balance she seeks between public perception and professional integrity, urging a focus on her contributions rather than her appearance.
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