"He spent 28 days in rehab and he has now spent 100 days clean": Return imminent for Dom Taylor after drugs ban with WDF events likely
PDC
Dom Taylor is working hard on his return to the world of darts after facing a difficult personal struggle in recent months. The 28-year-old English darts player, nicknamed ‘The Tower’, has now been clean for over a hundred days after completing a rehabilitation programme following his doping suspension.
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Taylor was handed a six-month ban earlier this year after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis during the 2026 World Darts Championship. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) confirmed at the time that the Englishman had admitted to breaching anti-doping rules.
News hit like a bombshell
The news hit like a bombshell within the darts world. For years, Taylor had been regarded as a top talent and after his first ban had a tie with Jonny Clayton on the horizon at the World's. However, the positive test dealt a significant blow to both his career and his private life.
As if that were not enough, it also turned out to be his second offence within a short space of time. At the end of 2024, Taylor had already received a one-month suspension for a previous breach of anti-doping rules. Under the applicable UK Anti-Doping regulations, a heavier sanction therefore followed automatically.
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Manager Mac Elkin, who runs The Sportsman Management Company and has long managed many of the top players in the world of darts was asked about the positive test on the latest episode of the Weekly Dartscast.
“It’s soul-destroying for me. It was hard to come back from it and it was hard for me to speak to Dom," said Elkin on the Weekly Dartscast. I think it took about three or four weeks after the Worlds until we spoke. I was so disappointed in him.
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“I am not going to go deep into it but Dom has got a problem. He had a problem. He got done the first time, we thought he was okay, obviously he wasn’t and we didn’t know. We couldn’t tell he was on drugs or taking anything. It was a recreational drug so he took it when he was with certain people in certain environments.
“He never ever took it at darts as far as I believe and when he told me that, I do believe him. When he tested positive it was obviously before the Worlds had started because the reading was so low they could tell when he took it. But again, it was really disappointing because I don’t know why you would jeopardise not just him but my money as well.”
Dom Taylor has been over 100 days clean.
Elkin went on to say it was not only the issue of the positive test, it was that given his role of a manager he had long prepared for the coming year. He said that he booked flights long in advance for Taylor thinking he'd be playing ProTours this year.
With his ban and losing his Prize Money, he lost his Tour Card and can't play until July and while getting Taylor clean was the main cause of concern, Elkin shared the harsh reality of this occurring.
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“It’s cost me a lot of money because I booked all the hotels and paid for all of it in advance. I have booked this year’s hotels and his flights to Germany this year. I even booked business class for him as a treat.
“Then that happens. The hotels were fine because I could change it to Adam Gawlas’ name because he has a Tour Card. When I spoke to Dom he was in tears and couldn’t apologise enough. I went, look, at the end of the day I was disappointed because you have done it twice. But I’m not going to judge you, you have got a problem and we need to sort it. The PDPA stepped in and they really looked after him.
WDF targeted
Now he is 100 days clean and even more so according to Elkin and that he is looking forward to when he can return with the WDF in mind. He later said that despite warnings from others he plans unless proved wrong to stand by Taylor and a new contract will be offered if he can prove that he can keep it up.
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“He went into rehab through Sporting Chance. He spent 28 days in rehab and he has now spent 100 days clean, probably more now actually.
“He hasn’t drunk, still throwing darts and looking forward to July when he can start playing competitive.
“Who knows where he’ll be in July. He wants to play a few WDF events after July — we are looking at Gibraltar.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026