Anderson shared his doubts about participating in these tournaments last month, because they are being held outside the United Kingdom. The PDC Autumn Series are scheduled in Niedernhausen, Germany, from September 12-16, while the World Series of Darts Finals are scheduled for September 18-20 in Salzburg.

Due to the prevailing threat of the corona virus, The Flying Scotsman finds it irresponsible to travel. ''I’m just not comfortable with the travel involved right now. I need to fly and although I’m confident in my mask wearing and adhering to all the things I should do, I have little faith in other people.''

''I’ve watched people outside from the safety of the Milton Keynes bubble and there seems little regard for safety and distancing, so imagine that multiplied on a plane! I don’t want to risk my health or the health of the family'', he said in a statement released by his management.

He said: ''I’m disappointed for my sponsors and fans that I won’t be there, but I’ve always said health and family are my priority. The PDC have made Niedernhausen a bubble and players will be tested, and Salzburg is a bubble – but I still need to fly to get to these places and even driving would mean transiting through non travel corridor countries. And they are on a red list for a reason! I’ve now got the World Grand Prix in Coventry to look forward to next.”

Anderson will be replaced for the World Series of Darts Finals by Krzysztof Ratajski, who is the highest-placed player from the PDC Order of Merit not currently in the event, with James Wade stepping up to become a seed.