PETER WRIGHT wants to shed a “couple of stone” before his next birthday – and swimming could be the solution.
In the Year of the Snake in Chinese astrology, Snakebite has vowed to get trimmer in the hope it will improve his darts.
Peter Wright is planning a body transformation this year
The two-time world champion has revealed that he wants to get slimmer
Before he turns 55 on March 10, the two-time world champion is determined to get slimmer and missing out on the Premier League 17-week marathon will help his cause.
In the family Suffolk mansion, there are plans to install a pool, though the Scotsman admits he cannot swim a length.
Wright, 54, initially branded himself in front of press conference cameras as “a big fat f***” before correcting himself – though he could be fined for his X-rated language.
He said: “I’ve got to be losing weight soon. That will be good. Everyone else is doing that same thing.
“It’s no good being a fat old darts player up there, trying to play darts. Make it work, work hard, and the results will come.
“I want to lose a couple of stone. That means more exercise. Eat properly.
“We’re having a pool built for the grand kids. I cannot swim. So (wife) Jo will either put her foot on my head – or I have got to learn to swim!”
It was put to Wright that 55 is quite young in comparison to the re-elected US President Donald Trump, who is 78.
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The world No.12 laughed: “I’ve still got my marbles – he might not.
“Why is my age against me? Why? It doesn’t matter.
“As long as the head feels good, then everyone has to beat this, my arm, and that, my head.
“When it comes to March, I’m 55. Inside I feel around 21. If I feel like that while playing darts, then everyone is in trouble.”
Wright – who faces defending champion Stephen Bunting on Saturday in the World Masters – may one day call time on his dancing across the stage, like Belgian bopper Dimitri Van den Bergh has done.
For this Milton Keynes event, which has ranking points for the first time, he had wanted the theme tune from Netflix’s Squid Game as his walk-out but the PDC say they could not secure the rights.
Yet Wright feels that missing out on the Premier League eight-man line-up will be a blessing this season.
He said: “I’m enjoying darts now. I have got a new buzz.
“It was a big relief to be honest not to be in the Premier League. Hand on heart.
“I can prepare for each tournament now, instead than running into each tournament.
“Getting smashed up, getting beaten by the best players in the world, in different venues all over the country.
Wright wanted the theme tune from Netflix’s Squid Game as his walk-out tune
“As a player, I need to set myself, know when to be ready for my next match.
“It’s very difficult to do it on the night before, when you’ve got off a plane.
“It’s very, very difficult. I’m looking forward to the time off. Hopefully this will mean good results.
“In the past two years I have played absolutely rubbish and got battered.
“The Premier League can ruin darts players’ lives. It has proved it.
“I won 10 tournaments when I was playing really well in a year. My target is to win 11. I believe I can win 11 tournaments this year.
“There is less pressure by not being picked for the Premier League. I can enjoy being at home with my cats.”
