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PHIL TAYLOR has landed his first job since retiring from darts and has opened up on the injury that ended his amazing career.
Taylor, 64, is widely regarded as the game’s greatest player after winning a record 16 World Championships — including eight in a row from 1995 to 2002.
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He also has a record 85 major titles under his belt, having won a mind-blowing 214 tournaments.
But last month Taylor was forced to bow out of the business after a major injury issue.
The icon was set to take part at the World Seniors Darts Masters this week.
However, he went under the knife for a hip problem over the summer.
And following complications post-surgery, Taylor has instead had to settle for a new career.
Instead of playing at the Senior Worlds, he will instead take up a brand new role as a commentator.
Opening up on his injury, Taylor told the Northern Echo: “I tore what you call your scar tissue doing a little bit of work too quickly.”
Speaking last month after retiring, he told talkSPORT: “I’m retired now, properly retired.
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“My eyes started going a few years ago then my hip went and then the travelling.
“You’re away from home four-five days a week and it’s good for money but it’s not good for your family.
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“My mind is still in my teens but my body is 90.
“How did I keep going? If I won a players championship that paid for the food bills. Every tournament was about paying the bills.
“Has there been a better marketed sport in last decade? They (the fans) don’t just have a little bit of fun, they have a lot of fun. It’s fantastic.”
Phil Taylor’s glittering career
Phil Taylor quit his day job in the ceramic industry to become a full-time darts player in 1987 and went on to establish himself as a legend of the sport.
He dominated darts for over two decades, winning 214 professional tournaments – including 85 major titles and a record 16 World Championships.
The Power won his first World Championship in 1990, three years after becoming a professional player, and clinched his second two years later.
He then won eight consecutive world titles from 1995 to 2002.
Among his incredible list of accolades are 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix titles, five UK Open titles, four European Championship titles and six Grand Slam titles.
Taylor also won six Premier League titles, four Championship League titles, five Desert Classic titles. two US Open titles, a UK Masters title and a World Masters title.
His incredible achievements saw him nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2006 and 2010, finishing as runner-up in the latter year.
Taylor won his last World Championship in 2013.
