Former world darts champion loses tour card despite returning to the sport following ‘indefinite break’
ADRIAN LEWIS is set to lose his PDC Tour Card, despite announcing his return to darts earlier this year.
Lewis, 39, recently announced his intention to return to the oche after an “indefinite break” due to personal reasons.
The darts icon, who is nicknamed “Jackpot”, has been caring for his ill wife and announced his career break in April 2023.
And despite announcing a return to darts in July of this year, Lewis is set to lose his PDC Tour Card already.
The two-time world champion has decided not to compete in the PDPA World Championship qualifier ahead of the Ally Pally spectacle this December.
Lewis’ current PDC Tour Card expires at the end of the year and his decision not to play in the qualifiers means that his Tour Card will expire due to inactivity.
Fans are gutted that they will miss out on the chance to see the four-time major winner return to the Ally Pally stage.
It’ll be only the second time he has missed the World Championship since his debut in the competition back in 2005.
And the news has rocked fans on social media, with one writing: “Such a great player to watch. Hopefully he’s well and we can see him back again some time.”
While another added: “No Adrian Lewis at the PDPA qualifier so unfortunately he will lose his tour card. Miss you already king.”
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And a third posted: “Ah man gutting. My favourite growing up and getting into darts.”
Lewis won’t be going away for good, however.
The Stoke-on-Trent thrower won’t be playing on the PDC Tour but has already announced he will be taking part in the Modus Super Series.
While he has also claimed that he could enter PDC qualifying to earn back his Tour Card.
Speaking to iconic darts commentator Wayne Mardle, Lewis said: “Obviously I’ll do the Modus next year, see where I’m at see where my games at and if I’m enjoying it.
“Then obviously, I’d love to go to Q-School.”
List of all-time Darts World Champions
BELOW is a list of Darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
- 1994 – Dennis Priestley
- 1995 – Phil Taylor
- 1996 – Phil Taylor (2)
- 1997 – Phil Taylor (3)
- 1998 – Phil Taylor (4)
- 1999 – Phil Taylor (5)
- 2000 – Phil Taylor (6)
- 2001 – Phil Taylor (7)
- 2002 – Phil Taylor (8)
- 2003 – John Part
- 2004 – Phil Taylor (9)
- 2005 – Phil Taylor (10)
- 2006 – Phil Taylor (11)
- 2007 – Raymond van Barneveld
- 2008 – John Part (2)
- 2009 – Phil Taylor (12)
- 2010 – Phil Taylor (13)
- 2011 – Adrian Lewis
- 2012 – Adrian Lewis (2)
- 2013 – Phil Taylor (14)
- 2014 – Michael van Gerwen
- 2015 – Gary Anderson
- 2016 – Gary Anderson (2)
- 2017 – Michael van Gerwen (2)
- 2018 – Rob Cross
- 2019 – Michael van Gerwen (3)
- 2020 – Peter Wright
- 2021 – Gerwyn Price
- 2022 – Peter Wright (2)
- 2023 – Michael Smith
- 2024 – Luke Humphries
Most World Titles
- 14 – Phil Taylor
- 3 – Michael van Gerwen
- 2 – John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
- 1 – Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries