CULLEN OPENS UP ON WILD ASPINALL STAG DO BEFORE FRIENDS TURN FOES AT MATCHPLAY

JOE CULLEN joked Nathan Aspinall’s Ibiza stag do was “rubbish” because they did nothing.

The world No31 was only kidding though, admitting the trip was one of the best experiences of his life after celebrating with a host of darts rivals last month.

Cullen, 37, joined several stars from the oche for the getaway before heading to Spain for a more relaxed golf trip.

The Rockstar admitted partying late into the night took it’s toll but he would not change a thing.

He told the Love the Darts Podcast: “It was very relaxed. It was rubbish, we didn’t do anything.

“It was the best time of my life, it was brilliant! Ibiza has been one of them places I have never fancied going, but it was brilliant.

“I have been paying for it the last week or so. It’s a lot. I am not as young as I used to be.

“The golf trip was a lot more subdued than the Ibiza one, but it is nice to spend time with good people.”

Cullen will now put friendship aside when he faces Aspinall in the first round of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens on Saturday.

The Bradford thrower has enjoyed a steady start to the season, reaching the final of Players Championship Eight, but knows he needs to improve his performances on the big stage.

He added: “I think he has had my number on stage the last four or five times I have played him. I will definitely be looking to put that right.

“We have spent quite a lot of time together this year, even the spare time with the stag do and the golf.

“So I think we have got that little bit closer. We are really similar in so many ways. We are not boring.

“We are exciting to watch and I am looking forward to it. It should be a great game.”

Cullen’s last televised quarter-final appearance came at the 2024 World Grand Prix, and the former Masters champion is determined to add more silverware to his collection.

He continued: “Obviously, I want to do well at TV events, but I want to win.

“I won a couple of tournaments last year. Maybe not at the big majors, but Pro Tours are so difficult to win.

“The fields are brilliant every time you go there.

“So I think if I can just carry on winning, a couple of wins under my belt, and preferably it will be a TV event, but any win is a good win.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning