DARTS legend Dennis Priestley is happy to be back on the big stage after his latest battle with the Big C.
The double world champ — diagnosed with prostate cancer last year — will play in the Sky Poker World Grand Prix in Dublin from Monday despite just finishing an intense 20-day radiotherapy treatment.
But the tough Yorkshireman is more worried that he will have to dash off stage mid-match to go to the TOILET.
The Menace, 58, admitted: “I missed all darts tournaments in September to have my radiotherapy treatment.
“I’ve had 20 sessions which finished last Friday. It’s been quite a tough schedule going in at 7am every day.
“It takes quite a long time because the medics have to mark me with Xs so the machine zaps the same parts of my body every day.
“The actual radiotherapy only takes five minutes. It’s rather like a glorified sunbed.
“The treatment isn’t a problem — it’s the after-effects.
“Tiredness is a massive issue, I really don’t have much stamina and that will be an obstacle during the Grand Prix.
“But the other big problem is that it gives you irritable bowels which effects both the waterworks and number twos.
“That creates another major hurdle for me.
“Wanting to go to the loo can strike at any time and very quickly — which means I may have to make a mad sprint off stage during a game.
“I won’t go in the middle of a leg but I may have to dash off unexpectedly.
“I hope my opponents and Sky Sports don’t mind if I upset their schedules.”
Priestley, still currently World No 12, is determined to play on to keep his mind off the illness.
He added: “I have a check-up with my specialist on October 24 and then I have to wait for March until I can get a blood test to see whether the treatment has worked.
“It feels like waiting to be hung. This big cloud will be over me for another six months but what can you do?
“I’ve been dealt the cards and I’ve just got to get on with life. Darts is a fantastic distraction. It requires total focus and that enables me to get on with life.
“It’s just nice to get on with normal things.”
Although tiredness is an obvious drawback for Priestley, it has still been a remarkable year for the Yorkshireman considering the on-going treatments.
He has won two tournaments and reached the semi-finals of the last big major event — the World Matchplay in July.
If he gets a good run in the Grand Prix, he may even be close to a Premier League place for next year.
He added: “I can still earn a good living out of darts.
“Even if I lose my first match in Dublin I take home £4,000.
“If I keep going through, obviously I will get a lot more.
“It’s been good to win tournaments in Canada and Bristol, I’ve enjoyed that.
“I originally said I would carry on playing until I was 60 but I doubt that’s going to happen now.
“But for now, I’m just happy to be alive and enjoying my darts.” (story source...)
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