My darts rivals used to laugh and call me ‘fatty’ when I did laps before matches… now they’re ditching kebabs to join me

ROSS SMITH used to hear ‘fatty’ taunts when he was running around darts venues trying to shed some excess weight.

But he reckons those doing the cat-calling have now snubbed out their cigarettes and put down the kebabs to join him on those runs.

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Ross Smith is set to take part in the World Darts Championship[/caption]

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Smith, 35, is the 19th seed at Alexandra Palace[/caption]

The former lorry driver decided to do something about his expanding physique when he reached 19 stone and then he put on the running shoes and hit the pavement.

Darts players love a beer and a late-night fast-food snack but perhaps the times are changing where they all realise that all-day stamina on the oche is important.

Dover-based Smith, 35, said: “I used to be really overweight. I still am a little bit.

“But I do exercise really because it helps with my mentality. When I’ve done exercise, I get up, feel fresh and am ready to attack the day.

“Some players would go to me: ‘Corr, aren’t you knackered after that?’ No, if anything it wakes me up. I do it for mental health benefits.

“I started about four years ago. I turned up at Coventry and Milton Keynes.

“I started running around the stadium before the events.

“There were a few players outside the front there. Not mentioning any names. Taking the p*** out of me a bit.

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Ross Smith ahead of his quarter-final match against Martin Adams in 2011Jamie McPhilimey - The Sun

“They’d say: ‘Go on fatty. Do another lap. What time do you call this?’ I was having loads of banter.

“Slowly, I have noticed that loads and loads of people, a fair few now, are joining me.

“Damon Heta has massively got into his running. I know Luke Woodhouse is posting stuff in the gym.”

Smith – the European champion in 2022 – is the 19th seed for the World Darts Championship and opens up against either Welshman Jim Williams or Filipino Paolo Nebrida.

On the theme of keeping fit, Smudger added: “I know a lot of players are trying to keep themselves fit and with the schedule we have got, we have to.

“It’s the lifestyle, flying here, there and everywhere. Sometimes you haven’t got an option of getting great food.

‘NOT THE GREATEST OF LIFESTYLES’

“It can be 10pm. Honestly I have been put in hotels in Germany and literally they don’t have any food on a Sunday.

“I’m there trying to prepare for a quarter-final. It’s not the greatest of lifestyles.

“It’s important in this day and age that you keep yourself fit and healthy.

“Back when it was Eric Bristow at the top, darts was a completely different game. The game has evolved.

“I was about 19 stone around the ages of 23-25 years old. Now I have dropped down to 15 stone.

“When I packed in darts, I was a lorry driver and then I went to the gym every day after work. Just running, trying to lose it. It helped.

“It does help with tournaments when you play darts all day long. The energy levels. It is getting that balance right.”