‘This could be the end’ – Darts star’s teary admission on condition | Other | Sport

A former darts world champion has confessed he has lost his passion for the sport whilst battling the crippling condition known as dartitis. Welsh ace Mark Webster claimed the BDO World Championship crown in 2008 but has revealed he may never step up to the oche again following years of struggling with the devastating affliction.

Dartitis is frequently likened to the ‘yips’, a term describing the sudden loss of ability to perform basic sporting skills. Notable sufferers include Nathan Aspinall, Beau Greaves and five-time world champion Eric Bristow. Throughout his illustrious career, Webster climbed to world No. 6 after making the switch from the BDO to the competing PDC.

He twice reached the PDC World Championship semi-finals, including a memorable 2011 campaign where the Denbigh man sensationally knocked out sixteen-time champion Phil Taylor 5-2.

However, ‘Webby’s’ fortunes took a dramatic nosedive as dartitis began to take hold, with a particularly harrowing encounter against Daryl Gurney at Minehead in 2017 leaving the left-hander in floods of tears. His final appearance at Alexandra Palace came in 2018, and he opted for an indefinite hiatus from the sport in 2020.

“I’m really anxious playing darts now,” Webster told the Tops and Tales podcast. “So, for example, if you wanted me to come to your local club and play in some players, I’m just not interested. I don’t want that sort of appearance anymore.

“I’ve probably fallen out of love with playing the game now, which is a shame. But it’s because of the dartitis, it lingered for ages. It brought me to tears after games because I thought this could be the end.”

He continued: “Michael van Gerwen came up to me and said, ‘I feel sorry for you mate,’ because I was all over the place. I was stumbling. I was panicking in games. People were watching me fall apart.”

Fortunately, Webster’s career has taken a positive turn as he transitioned into broadcasting. The 42-year-old Sky Sports pundit is a familiar face at major tournaments, providing expert analysis, including at this year’s Worlds.

“I really enjoy commentating as it keeps me involved in the sport and I see some great talent coming through,” the former plumber told sponsor Monarch Water in 2022. “Initially, I was a bit bitter that I couldn’t play, but now I love it, being able to be with friends and watch the sport.”