Anderson ahead of World Matchplay title defence: 'I'm looking forward to getting back up on the stage'

He admitted that the Winter Gardens tournament has never been his favourite but only due to travel time but in terms of the venue, he called it 'brilliant'.

'The Flying Scotsman' has also said that changes in his life including his diet have been important during his time off and that he's not putting too much pressure on himself after having most of the season out.

"As I've got older I've started to realise the importance of having a release from the pressure of darts," Anderson told The Darts Show Podcast.

"I've spent half my life playing darts and probably the other half doing things for other people, so now when I send the kids off to school I think 'it's time for some Gary time now' and I go fishing.

"I'll sit by the lake for a few hours and switch off in the fresh air, just watching the world go by. It's done me the world of good and I've also managed to drop a couple of stone with my diet.

"Now I'm looking forward to getting back up on the stage, but it might take a while for me to get my consistency back so I'm not putting too much pressure on myself for the rest of this year.

"Blackpool has never been my favourite tournament because of the travel time, but the venue is absolutely brilliant - all the fans are jammed in and it's always a top atmosphere."