PHIL TAYLOR has admitted he feels like a “fish out of water” in his new job as a presenter.
The record-holding 16-time world champion announced his official retirement from darts in May, after playing on the senior circuit since 2018.
The Power is considered the greatest player to play on the oche, winning 87 major PDC titles and 16 World Matchplay trophies.
At the age of 57, he stepped away from the PDC seven years ago, but continued to grace exhibitions.
Four years later, he took part in his first competitive event since retirement, the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship.
Since leaving it all behind him, Taylor has swapped his arrows for a microphone, although admits he isn’t as confident in his new gig.
The 64-year-old will take another stab at being a presenter when he joins the team at the World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions on Sunday.
He said in the build-up to the tournament, live and free on Pluto TV,: “I’m like a fish out of water at the minute, so I’m still learning. I’ve got to take my hat off to these commentators.
“If it was a football match, I wouldn’t have a clue who’s passing the ball or playing for which team! I wouldn’t even know who’s on whose side. It’s remarkable what they do.
“Every time I present, I’m learning. I will get used to it, but it’s like an apprenticeship, I think.
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“So you’ve got to do your apprenticeship and learn your job. I’ll keep pushing forward and learn. But I am enjoying it.
“There’s no pressure, obviously. I haven’t got to get up and start practising to make sure I’m getting ready for nighttime, so I can just relax and enjoy it.”
Taylor appeared briefly on the World Seniors Tour but made the decision to call time on all competitive darts just last month, revealing that he didn’t want to disappoint fans.
He added: “I was really, really looking forward to it. Loved the idea of the Seniors Darts. Enjoyed playing in it.
“But I couldn’t perform like Phil Taylor could perform. So it broke my heart a little bit.
“My body had changed. I’m 65 this year. It got harder and harder for me, and I couldn’t perform. And people were paying money to come and see me.
“It broke my heart not to perform like I can. And I thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore. This is not right. If I do something, I have to do it properly.’ I’m a bit of a perfectionist.
“I haven’t even got a set of darts now. Or a dartboard. I’ve got a dartboard in the back room. But it’s still in the box. I was so dedicated and everything. But I can’t do it now.
“So, I do other things. I see my grandkids a lot more. And the best thing in the world is staying and sleeping in your own bed. Which I’d not done for 30 years and I love it.”
