peter wright

2022GSODG2_Wright4

Wright reveals he feared wife Jo “was dying”

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT admits he feared his wife Joanne “was dying” after she was rushed to hospital during the Grand Slam of Darts.

The reigning PDC World Champion was left fearing for her health after she endured complications from a gallbladder removal op and required medical attention during the Wolverhampton event.

Wright, 52, was told to play on by hairdresser Joanne – who designs his whacky hairstyles and head paint jobs – but went out of the tournament in the group stages.

And now for the first time, they have revealed the full extent of her serious health issues this month.

Snakebite said: “It has been a dreadful couple of weeks. Jo was taken to hospital on the first weekend of the Grand Slam.

“Jo was in absolute agony and told me she feared she was dying because the pain was that bad. 

“Firstly docs thought she was just rundown after the gallbladder and hysterectomy removal. 

“Apparently the pain was caused by a slit in the bile duct which meant bile was leaking inside her. 

“Since then she has deteriorated with other issues including dehydration and even a collapsed lung. 

“On top of it all, I wasn’t allowed into the hospital to see her for six days. It’s just been ridiculously worrying for us all.

“Obviously I couldn’t concentrate on darts at all. My mind was completely on Jo and not the Grand Slam, I was not at the races at all.

“The worry still isn’t over at all. Jo is still in hospital and is undergoing tests and trying to recover.”

Joanne also admitted that she feared for her life after being put on powerful painkillers. 

She added: “I was hallucinating and seeing monsters, it was very scary. 

“If a window had been high enough to jump out of to die, I would have jumped. 

“I’m not allowed home yet because of the collapsed lung. It’s been one thing after enough. I’ve still to have another back operation. The gallbladder op was supposed to be the easier of the surgeries.”

Wright, who lives in Suffolk, has been married to Joanne for 14 years and they have three children.

He has also pulled out of this weekend’s Players Championship but will return to the oche to defend his World Championship on December 15.

He added: “We’ve had so many health issues this year. I had my gallbladder out just a couple of months ago as well. Our daughter Naomi also had a knee op this week. 

“It’s been so tough. I will return to defend the Worlds. But it’s far from the best preparation.”

Words copyright of Oche180. Not to be re-printed without permission.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

EXETER_6

Wright will play through the pain barrier

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT will play through the pain barrier to continue his bid for a first Premier League title. 

The World Champion has been hit with a double whammy of gallstone and back injury issues, the latter forcing him to pull out of a Euro event on Sunday.

But Wright, 52, went straight to hospital on his return to the UK and will carry on playing tomorrow night (Thursday) after extensive physio and a course of pain killers.

He said: “It’s been a really hard couple of weeks, definitely. I’ve not been anywhere near 100 per cent this month at all.

“That obviously makes competing really tough. It’s hard to focus on throwing and also the pain alters the way you stand and move about the oche. 

“The back issue on top of the gallstones was the last straw for me in Germany at the weekend. I needed a break and just to make sure there was nothing more serious going on.

“But I feel better now that I’ve been checked out by the docs. I will have to look after myself a bit now, rest as much as I can between events. 

“The trouble is with the Premier League and Pro Tours, the tournaments come thick and fast.”

Wright faces Joe Cullen in Nottingham and hopes can just concentrate on the games ahead.

He added: “I’m satisfied with being second in the table right now. It’s been a bit up and down, I missed my chances against Jonny (Clayton) last week. But fair play to him, he punished me. 

“It’s just a case of trying to pick up points every week. I think the last two weeks I’ve not felt great on stage. If I can focus on the darts, I think I win matches.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

PLLIVERPOOL_25

Price isn’t Wright yet in World No.1 battle

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN PRICE hung on to his World No.1 spot in a winner-takes-all International Open final clash.

The Welsh ace beat biggest rival and World Champion Peter Wright 8-4 in Riesa, Germany earlier tonight. 

That meant that Price stopped Wright overtaking him for the coveted place at the top of the Order of Merit. 

He said: “I told him he’s got to wait another week!

“It was the ultimate pressure, the winner took it all. If he wins this, he wins the trophy and goes to World No.1.

“There was a lot of pressure on me so I’m proud of myself.”

Wright had come back from 3-0 down to beat Jonny Clayton in the semi-final but vowed to keep fighting.

He added: “I don’t want to be handed over the World No.1 spot. I’ve got to fight for it. Obviously I didn’t do it today, that’s why he’s No.1 in the world because he never gives up. But I’m after you!”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

WORLDSQF_46

Price admits it’s “tough” to stop Wright becoming No.1

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

GERWYN PRICE admits it will be tough to stop Peter Wright from taking his World No.1 spot.

The Welsh ace is hanging on to his place at the top of the rankings before his International Darts Open opener in Riesa, Germany tomorrow (Saturday).

If Wright delivers a better result than Price over the next 48 hours he will become the first-ever Scottish player to reach the PDC World No.1 spot.

Price, 36, revealed: “I said even 12 months ago before I became World No.1 that it would probably change hands a few times. 

“Especially with Peter defending his money and winning the Worlds again. It’s that close, I think there is now ten grand in it. It will probably change hands this year.

“Hopefully not, if I can win this Euro Tour and the UK Open, I can stay as World No.1. But it’s going to be a tough job.”

Price and Wright are due to meet in the quarter-finals of the next Premier League clash in Exeter on Thursday – and ‘The Iceman’ believes it will add extra spice. 

He added: “When you are No.1 it gives you an extra boost, it gives you that confidence to know you are World No.1, you are top of the tree. 

“If I lose that this weekend and then go to Exeter in the Premier League next week, Peter then gets to walk out second as a World Champion and World No.1 and he’s taken both off me.

“So this weekend I will give it my all, pick this trophy up and still be World No.1 before playing Peter next Thursday. 

“It’s always nice to play Peter but I’d rather still be No.1 and be in his head a little bit. It is what it is, if I drop down to No.2 then I’ll just have to prove a point that I really am World No.1 and beat him.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

WORLDFINAL_51

Wright stays tight-lipped on World No.1 bid

By Phil Lanning

PETER WRIGHT has refused to shout his mouth off despite closing in on the World No.1 spot.

The Livingston-born ace continued his sensational start to 2022 by beating Gerwyn Price in the Players Championship in Barnsley on Sunday night.

Wright, 51, is now close to overtaking Price in the world rankings having won the Worlds and the opening night of the Premier League.

Last year he got stick from his rivals for being too ‘gobby’ and saying he was going to win the Matchplay and Worlds – which he ultimately did.

But now he’s staying quiet. He said: “I’m not saying anything. No not yet, I’ll let you know after eight weeks, see how I’m doing then.”

He beat Price 8-5 in the final on Sunday. It was Snakebite’s 43rd PDC title. On aiming for World No.1, he said: “If I knuckle down to win tournaments, I’ll get there. My target is to improve every time. 

“I can get to 50th title, easy. I’ll pass that. I’ve got this more mental focus. I’m up for it.”

Wright clearly enjoyed his month off between the Worlds and Masters, shedding more tears at his daughter’s wedding.

He added: “There have been a few tears over the past few weeks. The wedding was fantastic, it was a great day. 

“Now it’s down to serious work. Maybe try and stick to a minimum of five sets of darts!”

Wright is also fired-up for glory because the last time he was World Champ, the year was wiped out by the pandemic lockdown.

He continued: “I enjoyed the pandemic because I didn’t have to do any work at all, it was great having all that time off!

“Now I’ve got to do all the hard work that I was supposed to be doing then.” 

Images by Taylor Lanning.

unnamed

Wright ready to ruffle more rivals’ feathers

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT spent his first day at home after becoming a two-time World Champion mucking out his chickens. 

Now the Scottish ace is ready to ruffle more feathers by stating he will win more titles to annoy his rivals. 

Wright, 51, was told to ‘shut his gob’ by his biggest opponents in 2021 after he vowed to win the Matchplay and Worlds. But he did both and now has his eye on the Premier League title. 

He revealed: “I got back home on the Wednesday, unpacked the car and mucked out the chickens. It was also good to see my dogs and cats for the first time in ages. 

“I already have new targets. I don’t need to say much now. I would love to win the Premier League, I’ve missed my chances on that one too many times. 

“It’s not about money, I’ve not even thought about the £500k for the Worlds. I just love playing and winning titles. I’m not worried about the money. I don’t get it anyway!

“I just want to get more socks and Space Jam boxers. I forgot my lucky pants for the Ally Pally and they are worn out now.”

The hostile Ally Pally crowd chanted “Scotland get battered everywhere they go” throughout the tournament aimed at the Dartan Army stars Wright, Gary Anderson, Alan Soutar and Willie Borland. 

But Wright was quick to dismiss that statement after the excellent progress for the Scotland football team in Euro 2020 and bidding to reach Qatar 2022. He even mentioned the achievements of Scotland’s cricket squad.

Of course, Wright won his second World Cup for his country with John Henderson in 2021, the second time he has won the World Championship and taken national glory in the same year, previously winning with Gary Anderson.

When asked about the chanting at the Ally Pally, Wright laughed it off adding: “We never got battered in the World Cup, either. 

“The football team is playing great. They have started to turn a corner and are playing some fantastic matches.

“Scotland’s cricket team did well by qualifying for the World Cup a little while ago as well.

“I know they didn’t do as well, but that was a stepping stone. So Scotland in general is doing brilliantly.”

Arbroath’s Soutar roared up the rankings to World No.51 with a cracking run to the last 16 and West Lothian’s Borland produced arguably the best moment of the Worlds with his deciding leg perfect leg nine-darter.

There is now a real fight on to partner Wright as he bids for a hat-trick of World Cup wins later this year.

He said: “I don’t know how they are going to pick it. If John gets the choice or the nod because he is the defending champion.

“I know Gary declined last year, whether he decides he wants to come back this year, that’d be fantastic.

“But if it is John or Alan, he’s quality and only going to get better and better as well, it’s great for Scottish darts.

“Hopefully, we can get Robert Thornton back on track and get him back up the rankings as well.”

WORLDSSF_11

Wright aims to join his heroes Jocky and Ando

By Phil Lanning

At The Ally Pally
PETER WRIGHT admitted he believes he will be a double World Champion after an epic win over Gary Anderson.

The Livingston-born ace delivered a huge display to beat his Scottish buddy 6-4 in a proper semi-final slugfest at the Ally Pally last night. 

Wright, 51, revealed he was in tears after Ando KO’d him seven years ago but there was no repeat of the pain and now faces Michael Smith in tonight’s final.

He will now bid to emulate Jocky Wilson and Anderson’s two world title wins and said: “Wow. To get a win over Gary Anderson, one of the greatest Scottish darts ever.

“I knew he would come back but I couldn’t stop him. I’ve been struggling with a knee injury and fatigue set in. But I need to rest up and it will be OK for tomorrow.

“I had flashes of brilliance and then I went off but I’m ready for the final.

“I am defending this from two years ago and I have got to try and do a job. I’m here to try and win it for a second time.

“I already believe that I am going to be a double World Champion. Whether it is this year or not, we will see, but tune in.”

Wright is bidding to reclaim the title he won two years ago against Michael van Gerwen but he reckons that defeat to Anderson in 2015 made him a better player.

He added: “I was sat backstage that day and I had missed darts at crucial times. It could have been a lot closer.

“I was in tears. I thought: Why do I want to play this game.

“But I have brushed myself off and become a better champion. I sorted myself out and have gone on and won it since.

“That was quite a few years ago and I’ve learnt, I’ve become a World Champion and a Matchplay champion and No.2 in the world for that reason.

“It is for that reason. It is because you forget the rubbish and get on with the future.”

Wright started the slightly more efficient, taking the opening set with double eight with a break of throw. 

Anderson kicked off the second set but Wright took the set in a deciding leg to lead by two. Then The Flying Scotsman missed two darts at doubles and Wright made it 3-0 in sets to take full control.

But back came Ando to take a must-win fourth set to keep him in the contest and then a wonderful 105 finish to narrow the deficit to 3-2 in sets.

Wright then missed double 12 for a perfect nine-dart leg but wrapped up another set in style before Anderson once again pulled it back to trail 4-3.

However, Wright was scoring big and hit another clinical finish with double 16 to take the set and go within one of victory.

Wright then broke the record for the most 180s ever scored in a match with his 23rd before adding a 24th in the final leg and tops checkout to seal an epic win with a 104 average.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

SLAM_42

Wright ready to keep mohawk into his 60s!

By Phil Lanning at the Alexandra Palace

EXCLUSIVE

PETER WRIGHT has vowed that ‘love it or hate it’ he will keep his wacky mohawk hair into his 60s!

The Livingston-born ace kicks off his bid for a second world title at the Alexandra Palace on Friday night against either Ryan Meikle or Fabian Schmutzler.

But Wright, 51, says his oche punk look will stay with him while he remains one of the top stars on stage. 

He said: “Some people either like or hate it. If you don’t like it, don’t watch. I will look good in my 60s with it, the oldest rocker in town!

“I will always keep the mohawk. It would only stop if my wife Jo wasn’t around. If something happened to her I wouldn’t have anyone else doing it.

“I get fed up with it, sitting in the chair for four hours on end. We are married and we don’t need to talk. She says stop moving my head. 

“But Jo also gives me a pep talk during that time. She tells me about the other player who I’m facing, what happened when he last played, what he needs to improve on.

“I think about the game. I’ve already done practising in the room before Jo wants to start-I’ve done a couple of hours already and then I always try to make sure that get me ready give me an hour before we go into the get ready for the venue, another hour on the board and then I’m there like two to three hours before the match.”

Wright won the last major Players Championship in late November and admits he is motivated by Michael van Gerwen being back to his best. He also loves the friendly verbals before tournaments. 

He said: “It’s good to have banter, you can’t be nice to everyone. We like to wind each other up. 

“The last couple of months I didn’t enjoy it, I was fed up with it for a little while. I was just focused on the Worlds, I had that target in my head. My mojo is back.

“I think the main thing was, apart from the Worlds, to shut everyone up was the World Cup. I’ve now won it twice with two different partners.

“I’ve got Michael back to form now, he’s my motivation, to bring him back down. Look what he’s set after Phil Taylor, then you’ve got James Wade, the next player who has won loads.”

Wright also revealed that he talks to rival Michael Smith about keeping animals – and even has a cockerel that follows him around!

He added: “Michael has asked us for advice about some animals to get and what breeds. Gary has also got chickens and ducks and so has Gezzy.

“We have over 100 chickens plus all different breeds of ducks, cats and three dogs. I have a cockerel that follows me around night and day.

“We are looking to get some goats next and an ostrich.

“I count my blessings for what we’ve got. We’ve worked really hard for it and missed out on the kids’ days at schools and college to try and make a better life for them in the future.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

wright

Lewis brands Wright “a cheat” after stage bust-up

By Phil Lanning

ADRIAN LEWIS blasted that Peter Wright is a “cheat” after an incredible stage bust-up after their Players Championship clash.

The two-time World Champ and Wright had to be separated on the oche by referee Kirk Bevins and security in Minehead yesterday (Saturday).

Wright appeared to be unhappy about a loose floorboard moving on the stage during the game which he won 6-5 – and both players dished out verbals in front of a stunned crowd.

But a furious Lewis took to Twitter to claim that his actions were “disgraceful”.

He said: “I honestly did nothing wrong even I was bewildered with what was going on and trying to process it whilst trying to concentrate on my darts, so at the end of the game I wanted to find out what was his problem because I didn’t have a clue what was going on.

“He said to me there was a loose floorboard and I found it! So my response to him was you took me out my rhythm, you had a game plan, and as world number 2 its disgraceful and you’re nothing but a cheat. He knew what he was doing as soon as I went 3-1 up he started muttering things.

“And shaking his head at me which put me in a situation that made me feel uncomfortable. 

“The people who I fall out with always have to be the ones apologise because they know I’m not a cheat never have been never will be!!

“Trouble does seem to follow me around I can’t deny it, but it’s only because I’m a genuine person who wears my heart on my sleeve and people try to take advantage of that. I will always speak my mind!

“For those saying I’m a sore loser this that and the other I’m the best loser because I say it exactly as it is I don’t try hide anything I say what I see.

Peter will say nice things about me in the interview as he knows I’ve done nothing wrong and he’s bang out of order

“Learning curve about trust today occurred. Onto the Worlds now…”

Wright was interviewed after the game and tried to dismiss the row. He said: “I said there must have been a loose board at the back, but you get that. It works loose like that. 

“But we were just discussing Christmas cards who has got to send the first one. 

“Adrian Lewis is an amazing player. I love him to bits. He’s not a double World Champion for nothing. I’d like to see him back in the Premier League, where he belongs. 

“We need a little bit of heating up there, that might help. It got nice and warm up there.”

AX5C2627

Wright: If you don’t like what I say, don’t listen!

By Phil Lanning

PETER WRIGHT has told his rivals to stop listening if they don’t like him mouthing off.

The Livingston ace kicks off a bid for a third major title this year against Rob Cross at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix tonight (Monday) in Leicester. 

Wright, 51, was given verbals by his big opponents throughout the Matchplay for constantly saying he was going to win the tournament – and he was proved right.

He said: “It’s up to them if they want to listen, I’m just pre-warning them. If I pre-warn you I’m going to win a tournament, that means you’ve got to practice harder or you’ll lose. Simple.

“I could shut up and say nothing and say I haven’t been practising or I haven’t picked up a dart for a month blah, blah, blah. But I’d be lying. 

“I feel really confident in my own ability to beat anybody in the world, I’ve proved that and done it. 

“I’ve been saying I fancy this tournament for the last few weeks now. So fingers crossed same thing happens. 

“It’s an amazing tournament, it’s a leveller, it doesn’t matter how good you are. The double-starts is about keeping calm, don’t get annoyed. If you don’t get off with the first three, you’re hoping your opponent doesn’t start with a big 160. It’s also a bit of luck you need.

“To beat Rob Cross, you’ve got to be on your game, otherwise you are going home. 

“My record isn’t great. I got to the final a couple of years ago because it was about time I did well.

“But I’ve had the feeling the past two or three weeks that I fancy this one. I’ve been working hard and people will be surprised with the darts I’ll be throwing.”

Wright has also vowed to take the World No.1 spot from Gerwyn Price in a fascinating three-way battle for the top dog of darts with Michael van Gerwen.

He added:  “I’m looking forward to being World No.1 so winning this tournament will help me catch Gezzy up. I’ve already said I’m going to win the Worlds as well this year, so I should be No.1 in the world at the beginning of next year.

“I think Gezzy is playing fantastic darts at the moment, but how long is that going to last?

“He’s got his injury that keeps coming up. I’ve had a similar sort of thing in my elbow and it’s horrible. You can’t predict when it’s going to come.

“He’s beat Michael again but Michael’s not on his game, but it’s coming back most definitely. But he’s not quite the Michael of old. 

“Of course Michael can come back. He’s still young, he’s won all those titles and he’s got the hunger. 

“Now he’s not just got Gezzy and I challenging him but you’ve got other players out there like Luke Humphries.

“I don’t think Michael’s game is far off, it’s just a little lack of consistency and missing the odd double when he used to punish you for that.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

Load More