CHECK-OUT ANY TIME... NEVER LEAVE

PHIL TAYLOR makes his competitive comeback tomorrow night, admitting: “What the hell have I done?”

The Power, who retired four years ago with 16 world titles, throws off his cape at the Circus Tavern – where he won eight of them in a row.

He is odds-on favourite to win the inaugural JenningsBet.com World Seniors Darts Championship and could face old arch-rival Peter ‘One Dart’ Manley when he joins the fray in the second round.

Taylor has been practising in his garage with his teenage grandson Matthew for a tournament which boasts 11 former world champions

and three women. One of the star turns when the competition was launched – Andy the ‘Viking’ Fordham – died last July, and Taylor, 61, acknowledged: “He was one of the biggest draws. It’s such a shame he won’t be with us.”

But with £30,000 to the winner, in an over-50s tournament where you’ll be able to cut the pension with a knife, the Power is raring to go again.

He said: “The board is up in the garage now, with a little portable radiator to keep me warm. My oldest grandson Matthew, who’s 18 now, works with me. He lives, breathes and eats darts. Loves it.

“I’ve been using dumbbells to strengthen muscles in my throwing arm. I’m doing everything I can to make myself strong enough.”

Taylor’s last TV appearance at the Tavern was his sudden-death defeat in the PDC World Championship final against Raymond van Barneveld 15 years ago. But walking into a place he called his second home again will make the sap rise and he grinned: “I’ve got so many memories there but I will be nervous, for sure.

“When the idea of a World Seniors was put to me, I thought it was a great idea. But six months later I’m thinking: ‘What the hell have you done?’.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Peter Manley again – I couldn’t abide him when we were rivals on the circuit, but now I love him to bits.”

Do not underestimate what it would mean to Taylor (above) to wear another version of the world crown.

“When I was doing a podcast with (former PDC chairman) Barry Hearn, I was introduced as the 16-times world champion. But Barry chipped in and added: ‘So far.’ That made me laugh.

“Okay, this is not the World Championship, but I would still love to win it.”