Winmau statement promises imminent Ted Hankey comeback

Ted Hankey will soon be back in the public eye, according to a Winmau statement issued yesterday.

The two-time world champion is "on the comeback trail". Hankey, who claimed the Lakeside title in 2000 and 2009, has suffered multiple setbacks in recent years.

"Ted has suffered for the last 10 years with diabetes and eye-pressure issues, and then last year lost his biggest fan and the rock in his darting life, when his father died.

"However, Ted has fought on and since got a handle on his condition, also turning his biggest loss to date into a new found motivation in making up for lost time, in honour of his father," said Winmau in the statement.

Hankey himself added: "I’ve been back on the BDO circuit for around 6 years and whilst I’ve tried my best, I’ve not been in the best mind-set to show everyone how good I can be. "Whilst my health and family issues have played a part, the buck stops with me in getting back on top of the World as I still know I’m one of the very best there is."

The 51-year-old is one of the most distinctive figures in world darts. Hankey burst onto the scene in the late 1990s, soon becoming a pantomime villain with his persona as 'The Count' and infamous violent outbursts.

He became world champion in 2000, thrashing Ronnie Baxter 6-0. Nine years on, the Stoke-born thrower edged out Tony O'Shea 7-6 to take the title again.

Hankey also endured a fateful one-year stint in the PDC in 2012, which was curtailed by health concerns.