Lakeside debutant Brooks on practicing with 'local hero' Newton: "I definitely tap into his mindset, he helps me out big time"

Jordan Brooks will make his Lakeside debut in April after getting in by as he called it the 'skin of his teeth' and after a good year on the WDF circuit, he will get to play on the biggest stage in Frimley Green.

"I got in there by the skin of my teeth so it makes it even more exciting so I'm looking very much forward to it. We've still got Isle of Man to go beforehand so I'm practicing hard for that and hopefully we can get a good result there as well," said Brooks to Tungsten Tales.

"I'm playing a lot of local stuff. It's just practice, practice. My main focus is Isle of Man, I've been going there for years but I've not been going as I'm playing now. I'm taking it a lot more serious."

"Nick (Rolls) teased me, he rang me the day before I got the news and said how would you feel about having a place at Lakeside because there's looking like there might be a place. But he rang me the next day and gave me the news, I was a bit down before I got that phone call."

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Local hero Newton

Being from Fleetwood, Brooks spoke about the pride they have for Wes Newton, the former top 10 star in the PDC and he said about practicing and rooming with 'The Warrior'.

"It's someone who the whole of Fleetwood looks up to. He's the main man, especially in darts. I'm good friends with Wes and his brother Dale. That's where my darts kicked off, I should have been where I am 10 years ago. It's only taken me this long because I've finally grown up at the age of 38. We all look up to Wes, we go to Challenge Tours and room together. I definitely tap into his mindset and he helps me out big time."

Drawing best friend in opening round

In terms of his first round opponent, it will be Lee Shewan who also holds significance for Brooks as his best friend so everything has come full circle for the duo.

"We're the oldest friends, we've known each other since three or four years of age. We went to school together. We used to swap names so I'd become Lee Shewan and he'd become Jordan Brooks. When our mums into Parent's Evening, my mum would see his work and vice versa. But regarding the World Championship, it's going to be a proud moment for the town."

Click here to buy your tickets for the return to Lakeside which will also be shown live on Eurosport and Discovery Plus.