"It's never too late, if you want to do something give it a go": Gilding reflects on winning maiden major at UK Open aged 52

Andrew Gilding sealed UK Open glory two weeks ago as the 52-year-old who had only reached ranking finals before saw off Michael van Gerwen in the final in Minehead.

Speaking in the days that followed to the Weekly Dartscast, he said about coming down from that a well as what he did post final.

"It's starting to I suppose, I'm trying my best not to get too excited about it but people keep reminding me," said Gilding to Weekly Dartscast.

"I got back to the hotel, someone was kicking the snack machine because it was out of order. Nowhere was open to get food so I had to go to the car and dig out a Pot Noodle.

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It made a long journey back from Minehead a lot sweeter and also a video emerged of his partner Jean watching him hit the final dart which he said formed part of a raucous atmosphere not usually seen on the way home from county.

"I remember coming back when I made the semi-final a few years ago absolutely buzzing but this was surreal. I've got a trophy but saying that I got a bigger trophy in Belgium for the runner-up. This one is nicer."

"I saw a video of Jean watching me hit the final dart on the bus and wow that atmosphere. Someone else said it was the most amazing bus journey they've ever had home from County. They were singing for five hours."

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Never give up

For Gilding, it is a dream achieved at 52 and he said it's never too late to chase a dream.

"I don't want to be anyone that tries to put their opponent off or anyone who gets too big in their boots. I just want to enjoy it but don't take it too seriously."

"I've got to say don't ever give up. It's never too late, I mean I was washed up, I was miserable and somehow it all turned around. It's never too late, if you want to do something give it a go."

ProTour title next on agenda

But what's next? A ProTour title sits top of the list for Gilding as well as cementing his spot in all TV tournaments with the Grand Slam the first to be confirmed.

"That's a nice way to do it, I usually do things incrementally and one step at a time but this is a bit of a leap so a ProTour would be lovely as I think that's a real tough one because you don't get to start in the third round and you've usually got to go through a seeding system. You don't get these random draws, that's my next goal I think. I'd love to get in the TV tournaments as well."