Ben Smith meets a legendary sporting superstar…
Darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor was warmly received at Waterstones, London Wall, as he signed copies of his new book – Staying Power: A Year in My Life.
Having started his series of book signings in Manchester and Stoke on Tuesday, the 16-time world champion arrived in the capital on Wednesday afternoon, and was greeted by hundreds of tungsten enthusiasts.
Taylor, 54, endured a difficult week in the World Grand Prix earlier this month having been beaten in the quarter-finals by James Wade. However, he remained upbeat amid speculation of an imminent retirement.
The signing was due to get underway at 1pm but didn’t begin until half an hour later as Taylor was running late. When he arrived, Taylor sincerely apologised for the delay. Most people used the time to get through the first few chapters of his second book (the first was published a decade ago).
Each fan spent a short time with Taylor, with numerous punters posing questions regarding his future, and they were reassured by his claims that he’d dethrone the current world champion Michael van Gerwen, and ‘knock the bald Dutchman off his perch’.
The comment may have been tongue-in-cheek, but the sentiment is genuine, and Eric Bristow’s former protégé is desperate to make it 17 world titles sooner rather than later.
One admirer of ‘The Power’ could hardly contain his excitement, as he’d left Cardiff at six in the morning, just to meet the world number two in the flesh.
Darts may not be widely regarded as the most prominent sport in the country, but the PDC is only getting bigger and better, largely down to the success and marketability of its greatest asset – Phil Taylor.