Professional darts player Dom Taylor has been suspended from the PDC World Darts Championship and issued a public apology for "blatant lying" about his drug use, in a raw statement that also addressed the tragic death of his young daughter.
Tournament ejection and suspension confirmed
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) confirmed on Friday that the 27-year-old from Bristol had tested positive in a sample taken on December 14. This resulted in his immediate suspension from the remainder of the prestigious tournament at Alexandra Palace.
Taylor had enjoyed a successful start to the competition, securing a 3-0 first-round victory over Oskar Lukasiak which earned him £25,000 in prize money. However, following the positive test, that money was withheld and his scheduled second-round opponent, Jonny Clayton, received a bye straight into the third round after Christmas.
A heartfelt public apology and personal revelations
Taking to Facebook, the world number 65 expressed profound remorse for his actions, which come just a year after he failed a previous drug test ahead of the 2025 tournament. He admitted to lying in a post-match interview following his win against Lukasiak.
"The first thing I need to say is SORRY!!" Taylor wrote. "I am sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys, all my fans... Also I need to apologise for blatant lying to you all."
He acknowledged completing a course after his first offence, which reduced a potential two-year ban to three months, but then failed another test on the same day as his recent victory.
Trauma, loss, and a promise to seek help
In his lengthy post, Taylor opened up about significant personal trauma, stating it was "NO excuse" but providing context for his struggles. He revealed experiencing multiple traumatic events in his early teens, including finding his deceased grandmother.
He then addressed a more recent and profound grief, writing: "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."
Taylor stated that the pressure of trying to qualify for the World Championship also led him to miss his uncle's funeral. He expressed solidarity with fellow player Cammy Menzies, who has also faced personal difficulties.
The darts professional concluded by vowing to get the help he needs after the festive period, insisting he would return to the sport. "I am sincerely sorry to everyone and I will be getting the help I need... I will be back to prove. I am sorry to you all," he said.
