Darts star sheds weight but insists new format isn't inspiring his comeback

John O'Shea might be a resurgent force in darts, but it's not the memories of his World Darts Masters win that's inspiring him. At 50, the Irishman has undergone a physical transformation, having worked on his fitness and shed weight as he competes on the ADC and MODUS Super Series.

'The Joker' is still targeting getting his PDC Tour back. He got on the circuit in 2022 and reached the third round of the UK Open, and made his World Championship debut the following year. However, he couldn't retain his place for 2024, and is hoping his new healthy regime can boost his ambitions.

Having lost three and a half stone, he told : "The thing about my darts at the moment is I find myself a lot more focused. I'm thinking about what I'm doing as opposed to just firing them at the board and hoping for the best."

He admitted to enjoying prolonged celebrations at recently turning 50, but also revealed that his current career involved more than just playing. O'Shea has opened up his own darts academy, coaching younger players and guiding them on technique and practice routines.

"There's loads going on, coaching, lessons, seeing different throws," he added. "It's good. This is probably the best version of me at the moment, but I still reckon there's more to come. I've still got a lot to give this game."

O'Shea's finest hour came in 2019, when he won the World Masters in Circus Tavern. However, following the collapse of the BDO in 2020, the tournament has since been revamped, and he's scathing about the current version.

"It's nothing compared to what it was," he ranted. "The World Masters I won was synonymous with everyone. Look at the names on it: Bob Anderson, John Lowe, Eric Bristow. And we've no idea where that trophy is now.

It should have been in the offices of Winmau because they sponsored it so long, or given to the next winner after me. But we'll never see it again, and if it does turn up, who knows what condition it'll be in."

O'Shea was never presented with silverware on the night, a notion that still rankles with him. He added: "Even six years on it still hurts. Not to get the trophy on the night of winning it, it made a laughing stock of the iconic trophy. It's a different tournament now."