Darts legend Phil Taylor's new job has him feeling 'like a fish out of water'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Darts icon Phil Taylor has taken to presenting after waving the oche goodbye this year, but the 64-year-old 16-time champion of the world admits he's still finding his feet
Phil Taylor has admitted he feels like a fish out of water in his new role as a presenter. The 16-time world champion retired from darts in May of this year.
The Power is undoubtedly the greatest player ever to pick up a dart, winning a record 87 major PDC titles, including triumphing at Ally Pally on 16 occasions, the same number of times he's come out on top at the World Matchplay.
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At the age of 57, he stepped away from the PDC in 2018 but continued to grace exhibitions. Four years later, he took part in his first competitive event since retirement, the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship. However, The Power came to terms with the fact that his darting ability was not what it once was, and left the oche behind for good in May.
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Taylor's arrows have since been swapped for a microphone. He now prepares to take another stab at being a presenter when he joins the team at the World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions on Sunday, June 29, though he admits he isn't as polished a host as he was an arrowsmith.
"I'm like a fish out of water at the minute, so I'm still learning," said Taylor in the build-up to the World Seniors Darts Bet Goodwin Champion of Champions, live and free on Pluto TV. "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 nighttime and all that kind of thing, so I can just relax and enjoy it."
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Taylor appeared briefly on the World Seniors Tour but made the decision to call time on all competitive darts just last month, admitting that he didn't want to disappoint fans who had paid to see him with lacklustre throwing.
"I was really, really looking forward to it. Loved the idea of the Seniors Darts. Enjoyed playing in it. But I couldn't perform like Phil Taylor could perform," he added. "So it broke my heart a little bit.
"My body had changed. I mean, I'm 65 this year. So I was in my 60s. It got harder and harder for me, and I couldn't perform. And people were paying money to come and see me.
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"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.
"I haven't even got a set of darts now. Or a dartboard," continued Taylor. "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."
Streaming exclusively on Pluto TV, the MODUS Super Series channel offers fans 24/7 darts content including 104 live matches every week, behind-the-scenes features, and exclusive tournaments. Viewers can stream the event for free across all devices including mobile, desktop, and connected TVs. See www.bit.ly/PlutoTVModus