'It broke my heart': Phil Taylor admits sad reason behind not playing darts at all anymore

"It broke my heart not to perform like I can. And I thought, 'I can't do this anymore. This is not right. If I do something, I have to do it properly.' I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

"People were paying good money to come and see me. Getting taxis, paying prices for whatever they charge for beers and food and this, that and the other. And I can't give them a show. So, no. I'd had my time. It was time to walk away then.

Since his retirement, Taylor has literally put away the darts. "I haven't even got a set of darts now. Or a dartboard," he continued. "I've got a dartboard in the back room. But it's still in the box. I was so dedicated and everything. But I can't do it now.

"So, I do other things. I see my grandkids a lot more. And the best thing in the world is staying and sleeping in your own bed. Which I'd not done for 30 years and I love it."

Commentator

Although Taylor has thrown his last dart he has not completely disappeared from the world of darts. The living legend has found a new role as a commentator and analyst. Last Sunday, he was part of the TV team during the World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions, broadcast on Pluto TV.

Still, Taylor is not yet completely comfortable in his new role.

"I'm like a fish out of water at the minute, so I'm still learning," he said. "I've got to take my hat off to these commentators.

"If it were a football match, I wouldn't have a clue who's passing the ball or playing for which team! I wouldn't even know who's on whose side. It's remarkable what they do.

"Every time I present, I'm learning. I will get used to it, but it's like an apprenticeship, I think. So you've got to do your apprenticeship and learn your job. I'll keep pushing forward and learn. But I am enjoying it. There's no pressure, obviously. I haven't got to get up and start practising and make sure I'm getting ready for night time and all that kind of thing, so I can just relax and enjoy it."