"I wanted to cause myself a bit of pain, I don’t remember the table": Cameron Menzies looking up and in happier place after Ally Pally meltdown

Cameron Menzies is looking up in regards to his mental state after his well documented World Darts Championship meltdown and is looking ahead to his World Cup of Darts debut next month with Gary Anderson.

Menzies referred to himself as his bag handler after his partnership with Peter Wright was broken up with the rise of the Scot, but he is looking up after a disastrous end to 2025 that saw him go viral for all the wrong reasons.

"Good place at the moment. Life’s good, everything’s good. The darts over the last couple of days, the performances have been better than normal. There’s definitely improvement in the hand, I can actually feel my fingers now, so we’re all good," said Menzies to Online Darts.

He touched upon the issues that have plagued him in recent months, where he couldn't feel the dart in his hand after the World Darts Championship incident with Charlie Manby. "I struggled for months and still get issues when it’s cold. When it’s warm, it’s usually fine. When I was going through the surgeries, the hand specialist said I was lucky I didn’t do more damage. They feared the worst; they thought I might never get feeling back in my hand.

"They checked the nerves and tendons and said it was badly bruised, but nothing was severed. Stupid thing I did, but I’ve got away with it. It could have been a lot worse."

He also touched upon how many operations he had to repair his hand. "Just one. Straight after. I went to A&E, they bandaged it, then I had to go the next day for an operation. There was a lot of damage, I could see bone and stuff. So… don’t do that again."

He was asked about the love and support that he got after the incident and that life is now good from where he is sat after what has happened and his mental state is a lot better

"I went straight off socials after it because I knew I’d get a lot of hate. My mate was doing my socials and keeping me updated. He said I’d get a lot more love than hate, and I did. I was always good for a lot of the time, so I think people understood.

"It was a stressful time and I exploded at the wrong moment, but I’m a lot better now. Life’s good. I’m trying to look after my health more, getting more time in the gym, playing golf again, just trying to get more me time. It’s good to be home in Scotland, seeing family and friends."

But referring to the incident or not in this case, Menzies said that he doesn't actually remember punching the table itself and that he wanted to 'cause himself pain' in the moment. "I just remember being really annoyed. I wanted to cause myself a bit of pain. I don’t remember the table.

"I just remember tripping and hitting my head, raging with myself. I didn’t feel pain at first — just warmth when I looked at my hand. Then I realised what I’d done. I apologised straight away. I was like, “You idiot.” Then I got taken straight into A&E and had the operation the next day."

He also managed to get help from Sporting Chance which he also gave a big pointer to as to how it changed his mindset. "The Professional Darts Players Association get a lot of stick from players, but the support I’ve had has been incredible. Chris O’Connor works with a lot of players doing life coaching. He told me I was hitting a breaking point. I’ve not spoken to him for a little while but I need to get back into that routine.

"It’s about de-stressing and making life easier. Everyone struggles with things — that was my breaking point. It’s helped massively. I’ve always struggled with flying, my anxiety went through the roof. Now I’m doing two or three flights without stress. Something good has come out of it."

But it is a lot better now, given that he can actually throw darts again after having a bandage on and not being able to feel his hand. "Absolutely. For six weeks, I had the bandage on, couldn’t throw a dart. Even when I could, I couldn’t feel it. I changed darts for more grip, but still couldn’t feel them. I thought, “This could be it.” But it’s got better and better. It’s about 90% fine now, only really an issue when it’s cold.

"I’ve had a poor start to the season. In the last six weeks there’s been improvement. That week and the last two days have probably been the best I’ve played, apart from one game where I ran out of steam. I’ve felt clearer mentally. I don’t overthink things. When I play best, I just play — I don’t think about missed doubles or life stuff. I’m enjoying it again, and that’s massive.

"Getting back to where I can play again is probably the biggest achievement, because I never thought I would. I’ve averaged over 90 recently, even hit 100 and high 90s — more consistent than before.

"I feared the worst at the start of the year. Now I’m practising three or four hours a day again. I’m enjoying it, and that’s the key."

He will also make his World Cup of Darts debut in short order and joked that he is basically Anderson's bag hander "I’m already a bit nervous! I feel sorry for Gary… I’m basically his bag handler according to my mates.

"But I’m looking forward to it. It might only happen once, so I want to enjoy it. There’s not many Scots who’ve done it, it’s a very exclusive thing. I just want to be in the best possible shape."

Playing for Scotland with Gary Anderson is something special. People ask if I’ve got my shirt already. I’m keeping it and framing it no matter what. I’ll be nervous because playing for your country is different from playing for yourself.

Peter Wright has also given him advice, albeit that he is still very much gunning for his spot. "I just want to be ready. Peter Wright said, “I hope you get there, you deserve it — but I’m still gunning for you.”

"He’s still got confidence. Even last week, he said he can still get there. He believes in his game. He’s been brilliant with me."