‘I just lost it’ – Peter Wright reveals he broke down at World Darts Championship over moment with daughter
PETER Wright has admitted he “lost it” when a song came on during a break in play against Wesley Plaisier on Tuesday night.
The two-time PDC world champion implied that he broke down after hearing a tune his daughter loves in the break room.
Wright, who dropped to No.17 in the world rankings this year, picked up a scrappy 3-1 win over Plaisier to book his spot in the third round at Ally Pally.
Wright, 54, said: “I’ve missed you all, all these interviews when you win games I’ve really missed it. I was in control and then I just lost it.
“It was down to the guys who play music at the break, they were playing Angels by Robbie Williams and I love the song.
“I heard my daughter singing that for the first time (in my head) and I just lost it.
“But I eventually got over the line and that’s all that counts.”
It’s unclear which daughter Wright was referring to, as he raised both Naomi and Jessie with wife Joanne, as well as son Tristan.
Snakebite previously revealed that Jessie, 30, was the person who inspired his iconic mohawk hair do.
Wright, meanwhile, praised the crowd for “getting him through the match” against Dutchman Plaisier, 34.
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The Scot added: “For some reason they were singing Scotland get battered everywhere they go, but they were behind me.
“They wanted me to win for some reason. It did spur me on.”
Wright will play in-form Jermaine Wattimena next, who thrashed James Wade this week, in the third-round post-Christmas.
He said: “Hopefully class is permanent, form is temporary.
“Hopefully his (Wattimena’s) form is temporary and after Christmas he comes back and plays rubbish.
“But it’s nice to see Jermaine play some fantastic darts, I’m happy for him. I’ve got to step up loads to compete with him.”
Wright also issued a defiant retirement message by announcing he is ready to defeat teen sensation Luke Littler.
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When asked if he had ever had doubts about turning results around, Wright replied: “No. People say, ‘you should be retiring, you should be going to the old gits’ thing’.
“I’m not ready for that yet. I’m ready to upset Luke Littler. I’m here to upset Luke Humphries.”
In terms of his expectations for the tournament, Wright said: “Obviously, win it. The form wasn’t there, but I believe I can win it.”
Humphries and darts sensation Littler are among the favourites to triumph at Ally Pally.
Wright admitted: “What drives me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, that’s what drives me on.
“Because I know I can still compete with them. What I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.