Taylor will headline World Seniors Championship on BBC

PHIL TAYLOR will play World Championship darts on the BBC for the first time in almost 30 years.

The Power is the big star at the inaugural Jennings Bet World Seniors Darts Championship in February 2022.

And the BBC will show the Circus Tavern event live across its digital platforms and iPlayer.

The last time Taylor, 61, played on the Beeb at the highest level was when he lost as defending champ in the second round of the 1993 Lakeside BDO Worlds before the bitter switch to the PDC.

Ray Stubbs will present the first World Seniors event, which features 24 oche legends.

Taylor can’t wait for return, saying: “I’ll be back on the practice board, taking it dead serious and taking them all on at the Seniors.

“It would be great to rattle a few cages again. I would love to see the look on a few people’s faces if they landed me in the draw.

“Most people probably start thinking about winding down when they reach 60, but the chance to become a world champion again has given me a new lease of life.”

Taylor will make is grand entrance into the Tavern on February 4th in the 7pm session. 

Other headline ex-World Champs joining Taylor including John Part who beat The Power on that famous stage in 2003. Other World Champ entrants will be Wayne Warren, John Lowe, John Part, Martin Adams, Bob Anderson, Keith Deller, Ted Hankey, John Walton and Richie Burnett.

But there’s a host of other high-class names. Kevin Painter will be back at the Tavern, scene of his great final with Taylor in 2004. Peter Manley also returns to the stage where he lost three finals to Taylor in 1999, 2002 and 2006.

Trina Gulliver will also be there along with Tony O’Shea, Terry Jenkins, Darryl Fitton, Roland Scholten and the most recent addition Paul Lim.

Two further qualifiers will come from an event weekend of November 13/14, making a complete field of 24. 

The top eight seeds placed into last 16 while seeds 9-24 play an extra round to find eight winners to meet them. The winner will receive a minimum £25,000 cheque.

The format will be sets and legs like the original World Championships. Should any player be unable to appear because of ill health or because they regain professional status then first reserve is Deta Hedman.

Images by Taylor Lanning.