Phil Taylor hints at signing up to major ITV show after confirming retirement from darts at 64

1 month ago 27

PHIL TAYLOR has hinted that he will sign up to a major ITV show.

Taylor has now confirmed his retirement from darts at the age of 64.

a man wearing a purple shirt that says target on it

Phil Taylor announced his retirement from darts[/caption]

AlamyHe revealed he is open to appearing on a major ITV show[/caption]

Speaking on talkSPORT, the Power said: “I’m retired now, properly retired. I’m just going to do some personal appearances.

“How do I know? My eyes started going a few years ago then my hip went and then the travelling.

“You’re away from home four-five days a week and it’s good for money but it’s not good for your family.

“My mind is still in my teens but my body is 90.”

However, he also addressed rumours that he would be entering hit ITV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here this year.

Taylor shut down the rumours regarding his participation this year, but did not rule out the possibility.

He said: “I’d be interested but not this year, it’s too late.

“Someone mentioned I was the favourite in the bookies but I said ‘I have no idea how’.”

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Taylor was hoping to step away from the oche for good after November’s World Seniors Darts Masters.

However, a hip problem following surgery in the summer forced him to withdraw.

Taylor also revealed he had been given the chance to tutor teen sensation Luke Litter.

He added: “With young Luke, they have asked me if I would sit down with him. I said, ‘Of course, I will’.

“But I would have to go and live with him for a few days, see what he is all about.

a phil taylor major titles poster with a man holding a trophy

“I know young Luke, we have the same sponsor. If I spent time with him, I would see how he practises, see how he eats and exercises, how he does anything.

“If he’s playing on those PlayStations, I would give him a set time, an hour a night or something, and then get ready for the next day.

“Make sure you aren’t staying up late and wake up in the morning and you are shattered.

“I have seen that many, many times – players who will have a drink afterwards, they get into the drinking and then they aren’t getting to bed until 1am or 2am.”

Taylor is the most successful darts player of all time, with 214 tournament wins across his career including 14 World Championships, 11 World Grand Prix and 16 World Matchplay titles.

Phil Taylor's glittering career

Phil Taylor quit his day job in the ceramic industry to become a full-time darts player in 1987 and went on to establish himself as a legend of the sport.

He dominated darts for over two decades, winning 214 professional tournaments – including 85 major titles and a record 16 World Championships.

The Power won his first World Championship in 1990, three years after becoming a professional player, and clinched his second two years later.

He then won eight consecutive world titles from 1995 to 2002.

Among his incredible list of accolades are 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix titles, five UK Open titles, four European Championship titles and six Grand Slam titles.

Taylor also won six Premier League titles, four Championship League titles, five Desert Classic titles. two US Open titles, a UK Masters title and a World Masters title.

His incredible achievements saw him nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2006 and 2010, finishing as runner-up in the latter year.

Taylor won his last World Championship in 2013.