Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor says playing darts in Blackpool makes him feel like Hollywood heart-throb Russell Crowe !
Taylor is targeting a record-breaking sixth successive BetVictor World Matchplay title at the Winter Gardens.
He starts his bid for a 14th title against Stuart Kellett on Sunday night and says the plush surroundings bring out the best in him.
“I compare walking out to play in Blackpool to Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’ – except I’m better looking of course !” said ‘The Power.’
“You look around the place, see all the people on the balconies and say: ‘Wow.’ It’s inspiring.
“Any darts player has to see playing at Blackpool as their ultimate goal.
“The world championships has more prestige, but the Winter Gardens is the place to play.
“It’s olde-worlde, there’s nowhere else quite like it.”
The Winter Gardens was opened in 1878 and among the acts who have appeared there are Laurel and Hardy, The Beatles, Queen, Oasis .
The World Matchplay has been held there since 1994 – and Taylor has dominated.
He threw the first ever live televised nine darter there in 2002 and won five successive World Matchplay titles between 2000 and 2005.
He can better that with victory this year.
Taylor started his latest winning streak at the Winter Gardens in 2008 with a victory over James Wade in the final that was wrapped up with what pundits rated the greatest dart ever thrown.
