The Power and the glory… and me

After Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe died, her one-time lover and baseball giant, Joe DiMaggio had flowers delivered to her graveside daily, such was his devotion.

Since I met 15-time darts world champion in November, I’ve felt the same. Every day I’ve thought about that overweight, middle-aged man from England’s midlands, and kept a vigil for his PDC title hopes.

And yesterday ‘The Power’ delivered another famous victory at the Ally Pally beating the unseeded Australian Simon Whitlock 7-3 in the final.

And all this despite – proabably because of – being one of the most difficult men I’ve ever had to talk to – and I interviewed Tommy Tiernan once.

I caught the post train from Cork at 5.30am to make our breakfast meeting where I was promised, I’d get to throw a few arrows with Taylor. But when Taylor continually ignored our suggestion to go to the oche, or go and get darts, the press guy remarked in an over-the-top stage whisper behind his hand: “I don’t fink the champ wants to throw this mawnin’.”

I then conducted a ground-breaking and far-reaching interview while he supped herbal tea by a hotel lobby fireside. He hung up the blue showtime shirt he wore yesterday next to him, and casually preened it while I fired questions at him.

I can now reveal:

a) despite contrary claims by a certain King, Taylor does not remember former Port Vale midfielder and Cork City legend George O’Callaghan.

b) James Milner is the best footballer with whom he ever played darts.

c) he won’t be doing and celebrity weight loss shows anymore.

For more, you’ll have to read the column.

God bless you, Phil. But I’ll be shouting for the other guy next year.