Barry Hearn warns overweight players to watch health: ''It's a licence to print money"

Barry Hearn has given the PDC's players a clear message to work on their fitness. The former PDC president believes players need to take better care of themselves.

During his interview on The Barry Hearn Show, the 76-year-old did not mince his words. He advised athletes to use common sense and take responsibility for their health' to reach their full potential. "I see a few darts players are a little bit overweight," he said. "So I tell them: 'You're in the best business in the world at the moment. It's a licence to print money'.

"You can change your life, your family's life, your children's life, their children's life. It's all down to you."

"That's the responsibility you take on. Are you up for it? If you are, look after yourself a bit more. Go out and have a walk every day. Watch what you're eating. Just common sense.

"We've got a limited amount of time, a limited asset, which is our life. And all we got to do is maximise the value of our asset. Fit it all in. Go for gold every day of your life. Keep smiling. Upset everybody."

Unlike other sports, darts, traditionally a pub game and often played over a beer, does not require great mobility or stamina. Instead, players need mental fortitude, technical skills and excellent hand-eye coordination to excel.

However, in many sports where mental and technical acuity are more important than physical fitness - such as snooker, bowling and golf - overweight players are not as common as in darts. In recent years, however, PDC players are spending more time on fitness and nutrition as more and more tournaments are on the calendar.