The flag is flying high and all that glitters is gold in the palace of King George

Shaped like the flight of an arrow when viewed from above, it took him six years to build himself.

Given that The Queen apparently has a shared passion for the sport of darts, she would be quite comfortable here.

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Judging by the 12 acres and 38 rooms, the boy George has done good.

The flag of Saint George, naturally, flaps around on the roof of George Hall but this fierce patriot is concerned for the state of the nation.

He said: "I make dart boards, it took three-and-a-half years to build the machinery. The boards won't fall apart. Why? Because they're made in England.

"Every toy you buy is from China and it falls apart. Everything. You buy a toy car and the wheels fall off. You buy a cuddly toy and its arms drop off. You get it Christmas Day, by New Year's Day it's in the bin.

"I fly the flag every day, I love our country. Can't stand people who don't, who forget those who fought for our country. We used to take that flag into battle and people would see it coming. "F****** hell," they would say. The English are here. They knew that we could have a row going back through history.' Funny the subjects you end up discussing when you have come for a look around and a natter about darts.

"You can't hire a tradesman to turn up at 9am and expect them at that time. Are they on time? Never," continues our host. "You are better doing it yourself.

"When we were digging the lakes here and I wanted some advice on the fish, I'd ring a fishery and they didn't know the answers. So I taught myself the care, the expertise. Did you know that you can have too many weeds? To stop disease in the fish, they need oxygen. Not too much, mind. They can't swim in air, fish have to swim in water.

"You can't overstock, that's cruel. You look at my lakes and they are not just holes in the ground. They are animals, it's their home. They deserve looking after."

His fish are his greatest passion. Corporate days are popular here and local schools are welcome, too.

"We get the bad boys" schools here, naughty kids. They love fishing, they love the calm. I keep them in check. "Who is the captain out of you lot," I will ask. "Right, any problems from the rest and I'll come and see you then." They are as good as gold.

"I teach them how to fish, give them the best gear and love seeing their joy. Well, it's better for them than going around lighting fires and mugging old dears.

"Some people prefer golf, but you hold that stick a bit funny and I'm not into that. Fishing is the game for me.

"There is only one thing better than fishing. That's making love while you are fishing. I've tried it once or twice — it's a bit difficult when it's windy, I can tell you."

From making love when fishing to the world of darts is quite some leap, but that is where our conversation will end up, eventually.

As the focus of the sport moves from one world championship at the Alexandra Palace to the BDO event at Frimley Green, the true king of darts will leave his Essex throne for a return to our screens today.

Barry Hearn may have Phil 'The Power' Taylor, more familiar players, greater prize money and Sky's hype in the PDC, but he does not have Bobby and his bling.

The BDO spreads its money throughout the sport, including youth, county, women and pub darts, but what it may lack in glamour, it makes up for in its golden boy.

George is not playing again this time — he failed to qualify — but he will be alongside Ray Stubbs as the action begins today on the Beeb. He remains a great character and fabulous company, while his bestselling autobiography is now out in paperback.

It reminds us how he moved from nightclub bouncer, window cleaner, welder and floor layer to the most popular character in darts with an aim Robin Hood would have been proud of.

Then we are off on our tour of his home. Preening and smiling broadly, he requests of Sportsmail photographer Graham Chadwick: "Just make sure I'm good looking, though I know it's not difficult."

As we move through the 18 bedrooms and head for the kitchen, he recalls: "When I was building this place I told my mates that anyone was welcome to come over, but they had to muck in and help. The motto was, "You don't come to George Hall and do f*** all!" Come to think of it, stop standing there looking useless and put the kettle on."

Er, right.

George and his pretty wife Marie host corporate days.

"We make them breakfast, give them a packed lunch and then I'll cook Chinese in the evening. I've built my own kitchen in the grounds because I make too much mess in here." he said.

"During the day, we fish, I hire out the gear and we have a good couple of hours drinking, too, answer questions and we have a laugh. There is fishing, darts, snooker. The full monty costs about £100-a-head."

We count at least 14 hoovers, three lawnmowers, two diggers, a TV in every room and plenty of pets. There are a pair of talking parrots, turtles in a thermal pool and cats and dogs with names including Cash, Dosh, Dollar, Visa and one who came for nothing, called Discount.

We finally get around to talking darts. At 62, he still flexes his throwing arm and plays regular exhibitions against Taylor, Eric Bristow and others from the sport's glorious past. He is also backing a Seniors Tour.

"We are talking to TV and sponsors. There is a lot of interest, an appetite to see the players from the old days and an interest in our sport again," he said.

"You know what some of the media thinks about darts. Big fat blokes, on the p***, large bellies, but we're not all like that."

According to George, the BDO title is wide open.

He said: "Gary Anderson is playing so well, unbelievable. Mark Webster is a talented young bloke and good player, Martin Atkins is coming up the ladder. They are my top three to watch out for, but you never know in this sort of competition. It will be close and fierce. I can't wait."

Before then, George has exhibition matches to play against Bristow and Taylor, which affords me a fortunate escape from a serious hangover.

"Shame I am playing later or else we'd get the bar open now. You look like you could do with a drink."