Noppert reveals bizarre stage noise left him unable to focus in World Grand Prix defeat

DANNY NOPPERT revealed his ADHD made it impossible to block out a bizarre noise during his World Grand Prix defeat.

The world No8 crashed out of the tournament after falling 3-0 to Ryan Joyce in their second-round clash in Leicester.

Noppert, 35, was visibly frustrated throughout the contest and had words with referee Kirk Bevins at the end of the opening set.

But after the match, The Freeze explained that a strange cracking sound underneath the stage had made it difficult for him to concentrate.

He wrote on Instagram: “This is, unfortunately, one of the hardest parts of having ADHD.

“I kept hearing Ryan walking back and forth, and there was this strange cracking sound coming from underneath the stage. My mind just couldn’t block it out, and I simply couldn’t focus the way I needed to.

“After my match, the PDC confirmed that something underneath the stage had actually come loose. So I wasn’t imagining it — there really was something going on.

“But right now, none of that takes away how disappointed I am in myself. I know what I’m capable of, and I know I should have been able to perform better. That hurts.

“Still, I have to take this for what it is: another lesson, another experience, and another reason to come back stronger.

“It’s just heartbreaking that it had to happen this way.”

The former UK Open champ is known for his usual cool and calm demeanour on stage despite living with ADHD.

Noppert has previously opened up about the condition, insisting his personality changes away from the oche.

He added: “I’m a different person when I am at home. I have ADHD, so when I’m at home I’m more hyper than when I’m at the darts. I want to go hard. I’m not as boring like everyone thinks.

“I have a busy life at home with the children and everything. But when I play darts, I’m a different person.

“I always manage focused on what I want to do. I think the ADHD makes me stronger to get to the point where I want to be.”

The Dutchman has enjoyed a steady season, reaching back-to-back quarter-finals at the World Masters and UK Open.

Noppert also made the German Darts Grand Prix final before losing 8-5 to Nathan Aspinall.