Darts star, 22, ‘publicly shamed’ into changing iconic outfit after being forced to wear extra pair of socks

OWEN BATES lost to Michael van Gerwen in the Players Championship 14 – but his old well-worn shoes were slammed by pundits!

The 22-year-old lost 6-3 to three-time world champion Van Gerwen in round one with the Dutchman averaging 94 and nailing six of his sixteen darts at double.

Owen Bates has finally changed his footwear after being ‘publicly shamed’ Bates pictured at an event last year wearing simple plimsoles

But while Van Gerwen ended his run of four straight first-round knockouts...