LUKE HUMPHRIES considered quitting darts over crippling anxiety and panic attacks - now he is world champion.
The world No1 saw off teen sensation Luke Littler to clinch the PDC World Darts Championship after a dramatic 7-4 final.
It marks a sensational turnaround for Humphries, who in 2017 first noticed a problem with his heart after beating Phil Taylor in an exhibition.
Humphries revealed in 2020: “After the match against Phil, I don’t know if my heart went absolutely mad.
“I woke up the next day about 5am not in pain, but it was uncomfortable.
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“It can be any sort of scenario that happens and stays with you forever.
“Unfortunately for me, I get palpitations. I’ve had my heart checked — there is nothing wrong with it.
“Nothing specifically triggers it. It can happen when I’m watching TV.
“I used to love getting on a plane. Now, because you know you can’t get off it, that anxiety creeps in and your heart starts pounding.
“You start thinking the worst. Am I going to die? Strange things like that. But I’m learning to control it.
“Up on the Ally Pally stage, a lot of people with anxiety would never be able to walk up there.
“I’m not saying I’m a hero but it has taken me a lot of courage to keep going, even when I have struggled.”
Asked if he considered giving up the sport, the Newbury star replied: “Yes, 100 per cent, I really did.
“As much as I love darts, your health is the most important thing.
“I talked to a lot of good specialists. They told me, ‘This isn’t going to hinder your health. We’re going to sort you out, get you on the right track’.
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I didn't think this was going to be it for me, I couldn't do it up on the big stage... To go on now and be world No1 and world champion, it proves a lot to my mental ability.
Luke Humphries
“It’s about relaxing. I’m getting better and better at it now. I’ve had loads of people tell me about their experiences.
“Some message you and say, ‘I love how you do that, go up on stage in front of 3,000 people’.
“But, if anybody wants to speak about it, message me and I will give them tips as best as I can.”
Fast forward almost four years and Humphries is not only the world No1 but the reigning champ.
He said: "It makes it more incredible for myself mentally because there was a time in my life when I was really depressed.
"I didn't think this was going to be it for me, I couldn't do it up on the big stage. I went through a lot of problems.
"To go on now and be world No1 and world champion, it proves a lot to my mental ability."
