MICHAEL SMITH has admitted being left out of the upcoming Premier League Darts was a big “kick up the backside”.
The former world champion, 34, has endured a difficult time with both form and injuries in recent months.
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Bully Boy crashed out of the World Championship at the second round stage in December, his worst performance at the event since 2021.
He flopped again in last week’s Darts Masters, losing in the first round to Danny Noppert.
Smith, who ruled the world just two years, has been left out of the lucrative Premier League Darts lineup.
And he is using that snub as a catalyst to reset his career – and get back on the major hunt.
Smith told Sky Sports: “The biggest thing now is obviously being left out of the Premier League.
“That was the kick up the backside I needed. Especially after winning the worlds and then not doing what [2024 champion] Luke Humphries did – just going and keeping winning.
“I kind of took time away. I just wanted to enjoy myself as a world champion.
“And I think that has been my hindrance. Being left out the Premier League, it’s time to work hard again.”
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Following his 3-1 defeat to Noppert, Smith took to social media to reveal he was suffering from the lingering effects of arthritis.
He continued: “I’ve had it for a few years now. It was always when it was winter so I thought it was just the cold affecting it.
“But it just keeps getting worse and worse.
“My wrist will start swelling up and the constant pain where I can’t bend it so it is getting a bit difficult.”
Despite the pain, Bully Boy is determined to keep playing – even if it goes against doctors’ advice.
He is undergoing an MRI scan on Thursday, with the problem stemming from when he broke both wrists as a 19-year-old.
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
Smith added: “I’ll be in Wigan on Monday and Tuesday [for the Players Championship].
“If the specialist says I can’t, then obviously I can’t.
“But then again I’ll probably say no to him and end up playing. I love to play darts, pain or not.”
Premier League Darts 2025 begins on February 6 in Belfast and will run for 16 weeks.
World champion Luke Littler is looking to defend the crown he won last year.
The rest of the lineup consists of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey.
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