Quotes

Darts should definitely be in the Olympic Games. Can you tell me any difference between archery and darts or shooting and darts? It's a very similar concept and both of those are in the Olympic Games. And don't forget that darts is also a hugely popular sport.

It's important to spend some time with your family. You've got to get the right balance. If it's all darts, you'll then just burn out.

I know people say that we are a load of beer drinkers but we are far more professional these days. These critics should come and have a go at playing darts if they think it is so easy.

If you don't believe in yourself, who will?

Darts is huge in the Philippines and Pacquiao is much bigger over there than David Beckham is here. I'm happy playing darts against him but I wouldn't want to box him.

It is a disgrace. I think darts should be at the Olympics. Obviously you'd have to cut out the drinking side of the game. But apart from that there's no reason why it shouldn't be there.

The worst I encountered was Peter Manley talking behind me as I threw during our world championship quarter-final back in 2006.

That's the biggest one the Worlds, second is the World Matchplay and then you'd have to say the Premier League I think.

I really enjoyed working on a building site. I also worked for a couple of months in a mobile phone repair shop. That just wasn't me.

I was in Las Vegas, playing on the fruit machines. I was only 20 at the time and I won the jackpot of $72,000, of which I couldn't claim.

I always wear flat shoes for darts because a heel can put me off balance. I press the side of my shoe against the oche, not the toe. That puts my throwing arm a few inches closer to the board. Not everybody is the same but it works for me.

I'm brilliant at working out numbers up to 180 but if you ask me to split a restaurant bill I'm rubbish.

When I play under bright lights on TV, the reflection off the dart barrel could be distracting. It's not high-tech stuff but I use the flame from the gas cooker at home to blacken the metal and dull them.

The more money in the game, the more players will try anything to win.

The world has gone a bit mad.

When I throw a dart, even when I'm looking I know if I've missed or hit as soon as I release the dart.

I like stuff like 'Top Gun.' I like horror films. I love them.

One minute you're nobody and the next thing you've got people following you around.

It was very hard when the newspapers were chasing me. It was also very weird. I know I'd just become world champion but shouldn't they be following someone who has done something wrong?

My mum played darts for the county. But only in the B team.

I am the best in the world.

When I was younger I got accused of gamesmanship but I grew out of it.

I was a goalkeeper at Crewe as a kid but piled on pounds when I stopped training every day.

The majority of players are serious about being fitter. They are drinking diet coke instead of lager in the practice room and if I'm going to stay ahead, that's what I'll have to do.

You have to get yourself right for the Worlds. If you can't get yourself right for that you shouldn't be playing.