Cullen opens up on heartbreaking period after losing his mum

JOE CULLEN says losing his mum helped him play with a “carefree attitude” during his biggest career triumph.

The world No31 tragically lost his beloved mother Pam to lung cancer in October 2021 at the age of 56.

Cullen, 37, was due to fly to the European Championship just days after her passing, but admitted he initially informed his manager he did not want to compete.

He told the Tops and Tales podcast: “I think, darts-wise, it was beneficial, weirdly, because we lost my mum on the Saturday, I think it was.

“Then I was supposed to fly to the European Championships on the Wednesday. So straight away, I told Jason, my manager, what had happened.

“I said, I’m not going. He said, ‘Obviously, you’re not going, no problem.’”

But The Rockstar decided to play and produced an emotional run to the semi-finals, where he lost 11-3 to eventual champion Rob Cross

He added: “Then I just thought, well, what am I going to do?

“I’m just going to stay at home and I’m just going to dwell on things, and it’s fine. You can just try to stay busy and keep your mind occupied.

“It’s when you’re on your own, that’s when obviously things hit harder. I went and I got to the semis of that, just on autopilot, because I didn’t care if I lost.

“I think the dart side of it was weirdly beneficial. I didn’t care whether I won or lost because, obviously, what had happened.”

Just months later, Cullen produced the greatest moment of his career by lifting the 2022 Masters title.

Cullen revealed the heartbreak changed his mindset on the oche, allowing him to throw without fear or pressure.

He continued: “I think that’s probably why I won the Masters, to be honest. I think I just didn’t care who I played, how I played.

“It just, in the darts aspect, was a blessing because I just felt like no one could beat me. It’s just a carefree attitude.

“I think it was just, yeah, it’s a surreal moment because I don’t really remember much of it. I remember just, like, elbowing my dad when he came on stage.”

Words: Phil Lanning

Image: Taylor Lanning