Darts player Dom Taylor, 27, opens up about death of daughter and childhood tragedies as he apologises for failed drug test
Darts player Dom Taylor has spoken about the death of his daughter as he apologised for ‘blatant lying’ after failing a drugs test.
The 27-year-old star wrote a long statement, which he published on his Facebook page, after he was removed the PDC World Championship on Friday (December 19).
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) confirmed on that day that Taylor had been informed of the result from a test which had been carried out last Sunday (December 14). As a result, they said he had been suspended from participating during the rest of the tournament.
Now Taylor has broken his silence on what happened, and issued a long apology in which he spoke about the impact of his daughter’s death, and also other tragedies that have happened in his life.
He wrote: “"The first thing I need to say is SORRY!! I am sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys, all my fans be it outside of darts or inside of darts, the game/sport I love the most.”
Taylor had beaten Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 and banked £25,000 for winning his first round tie. Due to his suspension, however, he had his prize money withheld and his second round opponent Jonny Clayton received a bye through to round three after Christmas.
Taylor’s statement continued: "Also I need to apologise to blatant lying to you all in my interview after my win against Oskar last week, as I have been lying to MYSELF and everyone else around me."
He then spoke about vairous traumas he has endured, adding: "It is NO excuse but all I can put it down to is the traumas I had in my early teen life.
"Finding my deceased Nan in a bed at the age of 12, then within a year multiple other events happened including my brother having a heart attack and being non-responsive for 45 mins along with a very close friend dying of a brain tumour which all hit me very, very hard, my parents being the great parents they are got me counselling and help at the time but in hindsight I should of had more than just that little bit!!”
She went on: “I have let many people down to say the least but most importantly I’ve let down four main people, my two daughters and my two biggest fans. My grampy passed before I made it. All I’ve ever wanted was just to make everyone proud, which I hope I have done until this moment. I know everyone, including my dad and family, are very upset and disappointed in me.
Discussing his daughter’s death, he said: "The anniversary of my daughter’s death this year hit me very hard, too, and that’s when I started struggling with my mental health again, and turned back to substances to allow my body and head cope with things. Not needing to worry about anything."
He told his fans that he would seek help after Christmas. He concluded his statement with futher apologies. "I now know that I should have spoken to someone, be it my management, family or the PDPA. But that’s all good saying afterwards when your world crashes down after you think you can handle everything as you always have done and tried to think you’re being the strong, tough person and can deal with it all yourself.
"Things didn’t help that I recently missed my uncle’s funeral as I was playing at the Players Championship, trying to secure qualification in the Worlds. Again these are not excuses, nor am I trying to get myself out of anything.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone and I will be getting the help I need. Thank you to you all for your support and we will see you again in time to come because I will be back to prove. I am sorry to you all."