Robert Thornton is a former World Seniors Darts Matchplay champion and for the second time the WSDT heads to York Barbican in early October.
Thornton heads a field including Phil Taylor, Martin Adams, Kevin Painter, John Henderson and John Part among others between 4-5 October.
Speaking to YO1 Radio, he discussed his darting origins and how he is shaping up ahead of the tournament. "I'm getting there, I shouldn't be too far off. I've got a few tournaments coming up, a few exhibitions," said Thornton to YO1.
"I blame my wife actually (on his darting origins). She kicked me out, she was fed up of me practicing in the house so she told me to go and join a darts team but I turned professional in 2008."
"I've always loved darts but I love the atmosphere. You walk out and walk out into any arena, it's absolutely amazing."
But his main one to watch aside from himself on the WSDT Tour is Richie Howson who is top seed and has been Mr Consistency on the tour.
"I think they're all the ones to watch. Richie Howson he's very consistent. You don't see many bad games out of Richie. But there's a few. Jim McEwan who's coming through Seniors. He's some player as well."
Whilst he was asked about who he doesn't like to play with 'Wolfie' Martin Adams cropping up but when the action begins, he is all in and laser focused.
"I don't like playing Martin Adams as I'm really good friends with him but if I'm up there in front of the dart board, you'll get no friends. They're all enemies."
Also asked if darts is a sport, he gave a comparison as to why it is with snooker and that it contains a lot more skill than many realise.
"It is a sport as it contains a lot of skill. In snooker, it's classed as a sport but you can set a 147 up but not take a nine-dart finish out in darts."
🌹THORN ON THE RADIO📻 Two-time WSDT World Champion Robert Thornton chatted to YO1 Radio's Chris Marsden about all things WSDT Matchplay recently. Hear the chat here: yo1radio.co.uk/podcasts1/worl… Get your WSDT Matchplay tickets here: yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/world… @TheThorn180
