"Every time I made the semis and they were there I got beat" - Smith thought about banning family from Grand Slam final due to previous heartbreak

In his ninth major final Michael Smith has finally lifted the trophy, 'Bully Boy' defeated Aspinall 16 - 5 at the weekend to win the Grand Slam of Darts. 

After suffering eight finals and numerous semi-finals Smith jokingly blamed his family for his lack of success when it really mattered.

The Grand Slam champion said he was tempted to ban his wife and two son's from watching him in the final after he had already stopped them from watching him in his semi final win against Raymond van Barneveld.

Smith spoke to 'Online Darts TV' after his win and he had this to say about his families influence.

“They were banned for semis because every time I made the semis [and they were there] I got beat,” he said. “They then came down for the final. The way it started off, I thought ‘they’re going!’. I told Junior [one of his sons] to shut up twice because he was screaming!"

“But I started to find my feet a bit and my doubles were pretty good. Then my scoring started to come in and my doubles didn’t disappear."

“And it is good to have them there to witness that because it wouldn’t have been nice them being at home and me here celebrating on my own.”

Smith was overjoyed with his win and couldn't contain his excitement during his interview.

“It is hard when you’re the only person in the top 10 not to win a title. I’ve been there in the top 10 for six or seven years and it does get to be a pain in the a*** when people keep asking ‘when are you going to win one?’ and you get beat in another [final]."

“Now I don’t have to keep telling myself ‘I’m going to win one’. I can now say ‘I’m going to win two, three and four’.

“Look what this tournament did for Price when he won his first one, he went on to become a world champion. Van Gerwen when he won the Grand Prix [for the first time in 2012]… I was never going to start with the Grand Prix because I can’t get past the first round! But now it’s my time.”