Illness hits Wright’s world title hopes

Peter Wright’s PDC World Championship hopes have been hit after he was rushed to hospital with suspected gallstones.

The first news of the world number two’s health scare came in a brief statement from his wife, who announced that he would be cancelling “exhibitions or competitions until he is well enough”.

No reason was given, but the PDC later sent its best to Wright in a statement which cleared up the problem.

“The world number two was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with suspected gallstones. He was released on Friday and returned to his Suffolk home, where the Scot is now recuperating,” it read.

“Wright has withdrawn from his planned exhibition appearances in early December to recover from the illness.”

Wright is due to open his World Championship campaign against Brazil’s Diogo Portela at Alexandra Palace on December 21, less than three weeks away.

Wright is the third favourite for the title after one of the most successful years of his career.

The 47-year-old Livingston-born thrower is known for his flamboyant dress sense and colourful Mohican hairstyles and goes by the nickname Snakebite.

Wright defeated Phil Taylor to win the German Darts Masters in October – his first World Series of Darts title.