"I do class myself as one of the best players on the planet" - From gardener to ProTour sensation: Tommy Morris prepares for Grand Slam of Darts debut

By day, he works as a gardener, but by night, Tommy Morris is becoming one of the most exciting characters in darts. The 34-year-old Englishman has made a name for himself on the professional circuit in remarkable fashion over recent months. Having beaten several world champions and claimed his first PDC ranking title, Morris is now preparing for another challenge: his Grand Slam of Darts debut in Wolverhampton.

Morris hails from Dorset and owes his nickname, 'The Gun', to former boxer Tommy Morrison, who starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V. Morrison played Tommy Gunn, a boxer from Oklahoma. Like his namesake, Morris has something to prove, although he does his fighting with three darts rather than his fists.

The Englishman combines his darting ability with an outgoing personality. He loves a party, has plenty of dance moves up his sleeve and is determined to entertain on the big stage. He hopes to make his mark alongside other colourful characters such as Dimitri van den Bergh, Ricky Evans and Devon Petersen, who are also known for their memorable walk-ons.

However, there is much more to Morris than showmanship. He has already proved he can compete with the very best, having beaten former world champions Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Michael Smith in recent months.

"It's just proving to people what I can do. This is not just a pub game for me now," Morris told Sky Sports. "At the start of the year I got invited to the first Pro Tour and it became sort of a domino effect. I'm glad I'm finally getting the results because I've kept going and not giving up. It's going great at the minute. It really is."

Morris previously made a name for himself in the MODUS Super Series, but now has the opportunity to introduce himself to a much wider audience. At the Grand Slam of Darts, he has been drawn in Group C alongside former World Cup winner Josh Rock and Dutchman Kevin Doets.

His walk-on, in particular, promises to be quite a spectacle. Morris is keeping the details under wraps for now, but says fans can expect a party. "I can dance, but I want to make it a bit of a surprise," he said. "I've got a party theme tune lined up. You're going to love it. I'll have a little shake, and we can have a good vibe. That's what dancing is about - just entertaining!"

That enthusiasm is very much in keeping with his personality. Morris sees himself as someone who enjoys having fun and refuses to let the pressures of professional darts get the better of him.

"I'm a bit of a jester. I'm the fun one in the room. I don't take things as seriously because that one game can make you give up. I want to keep going. I've learned that I need good energy around me. This is what is helping me progress. Good people, good vibes. And I'm looking forward to my walk-ons."

The 2026 season has already been a huge success for Morris. By finishing third on the PDC Challenge Tour, he secured his first appearance at the PDC World Darts Championship. He has also qualified for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead and the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

His performances on the floor underline just how far he has come. Morris reached the final of Players Championship 32 in Den Bosch, where Chris Dobey eventually proved too strong. It was not long before his breakthrough moment arrived.

At Players Championship 34 in Leicester, Morris claimed his first PDC ranking title. He defeated former world champion Luke Humphries in the final, sealing victory in spectacular fashion with a 161 checkout.

It was an emotional moment for the Englishman, who also suffers from tinnitus, a condition that causes people to hear persistent sounds such as ringing or buzzing in their ears. "I got so emotional when I actually done it. And if I'm honest, that hasn't even sunk in. These little platforms and what I'm doing, they're not really hitting me," Morris admitted.

His maiden title has also given Morris the confidence to believe he can consistently compete with the world's best players. "I feel like when I've been at the Pro Tour now, I feel like I can compete with these guys all the time. Not just go down the pub and play Barry the Butcher."

Morris is now even prepared to make a bold claim about his own ability. "I do class myself at the minute as one of the best players on the planet right now."

Despite his recent success, Morris is trying to keep his feet on the ground. With major tournaments coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, he is determined to enjoy the remarkable position he finds himself in.

"I'm just going to take it in my stride. If it doesn't go well, I'm still very proud of what I've done, what I'm doing. This is not the end of me. This is a start. So, this is the new progression that I need to get used to the cameras, the bigger stages," he said.

Morris hopes those experiences will ultimately make him a better player. "I'm hoping this develops me better as a player. And if it doesn't, I'm still going to keep working at it, plugging away. But as of today, I'm very proud of what I've done and what I've achieved from the start of the year."

His ambitions now extend well beyond winning local tournaments in Wimborne, where he lives. Morris dreams of establishing himself as a regular on the professional PDC circuit and is determined to earn a Tour Card.

One man who has played an important role in his development is Mervyn King. The experienced Englishman has become one of Morris's closest friends in darts while also acting as his mentor.

On the face of it, they might seem an unlikely pairing. Morris is known for his fiery, outgoing personality, while King is considerably more reserved. According to Morris, that contrast is precisely why they get on so well.

"Merv is one of my best friends in darts right now. If not my best friend, he mentors me. He also calms me down because I'm really fiery and he's really mellow. So this is why we work."

Interestingly, the pair are not particularly interested in partying away from the oche. While Morris loves putting on a show on stage, his downtime is rather different. "We don't get into going out to pubs, celebrating. We'll go back, put the TV on and watch Vera or Silent Witness. We're a bit boring."

The pair also share a passion for fishing, with several trips already in the diary. "We've got fishing trips planned so we're into the same hobbies, which is a bonus for what we do on and off the oche."

Morris now faces a period in which he can introduce himself to darts fans on the biggest stages. His first PDC title, World Championship qualification and Grand Slam debut have given him the opportunity to establish himself as more than a fleeting ProTour success.