HEALTH KICK SO WRIGHT!

Snakebite KOs kebabs

®

PETER WRIGHT has changed his lifestyle after the pain of gallstones almost forced him to miss the William Hill World Darts Championship.

‘Snakebite’ booked his place in round two with a 3-1 win over Brazilian debutant Diogo Portela and joked: “When I go to the kebab shop tonight, I will just have salad.”

Wright, the No.2 seed, has been in hospital, has lost two stone and has been able to practise for just 13 hours in three weeks in the build up to the tournament. He added: “I have had the pain for most of the year. It is only this week I have actually woken up with no pain at all.

“It is through eating healthily: no oil, no butter, no bacon, no onions, no red meat, just fruit and veg and some vegan food.

“My daughter has been cooking me amazing meals and I feel better for it. The weight has just dropped off.

“As dart players, by the time we finish, there are not many places open to serve you any decent food, or any food at all.

“That is why it is very hard for us all. You only eat a kebab if you are desperate.

“My stomach was out like a balloon and it felt like someone was trying to get out. I thought maybe I had a baby in there!

“The pain is on and off. I am still waiting to hear back after a scan.”

But it has meant the Scot’s preparations have been rocked and now he has to work even harder over Christmas ahead of his second-round clash with Jamie Lewis on Wednesday night.

And Wright, 47, the runner-up in 2014, could have missed the Ally Pally totally.

He said: “It was day by day, seeing how I felt and if I was getting any better.

“I was in pain and I thought, ‘If this carries on, I will not be able to throw any darts in the worlds’.

“Going on this diet has helped. I will definitely be stronger as I will be able to get on the board.

“I will go back and practise every day, even Christmas Day, ready for the next round.

“On Christmas Day I can have white meat but no pigs in blankets!”