‘I feel ready now’ – Former world darts champion confirms comeback bid and eyes third title after body transformation

Adrian Lewis is targeting a sensational return to the top of the sport — with his sights firmly set on a THIRD world title after announcing his comeback.

“Jackpot”, 41, has been away from the Professional Darts Corporation circuit since 2023, having stepped back from the game for an indefinite break while dealing with personal struggles that left him admitting his “mind wasn’t there” on the oche.

But now, after more than a year away, Lewis is ready to relaunch his career — and he’s done it with a complete lifestyle overhaul.

The former champion, who recently featured in the MODUS Super Series, has transformed both mentally and physically, shedding an incredible three-and-a-half stone by improving his diet, increasing his activity levels, and cutting out alcohol.

Speaking on the Double Tops podcast, sponsored by BetMGM, Lewis made his intentions crystal clear.

“The aim is to make a comeback,” he said. “Over the last 14 months, I’ve lost three-and-a-half stone by walking more, eating better and staying away from the booze.

“I need to be fighting fit when I return to the tour, and more importantly, I want to enjoy it again. Right now, I feel ready.”

At his peak, Lewis was one of the most feared players in darts, capturing back-to-back World Championship titles in 2011 and 2012 and establishing himself among the sport’s elite.

Now, he believes he still has what it takes to climb back to the summit — and he’s not coming back just to make up the numbers.

“After 20 years, I think I just needed that break,” he explained. “Now I’m ready to enjoy the game again. It’s not about the money for me anymore — it’s about winning trophies.”

Despite his time away, Lewis insists his competitive edge hasn’t faded.

“On the exhibition circuit, I’m still very competitive. I’ve beaten plenty of Premier League players regularly, so the ability is definitely still there.”

He also hinted that a return to the Premier League Darts could be on the cards — but only if his form justifies it.

“If I’m playing well enough, I don’t think I could turn down the Premier League again,” he admitted. “But the real reason I’m coming back is to become a three-time world champion.”

Standing in his way, however, is a new generation of stars led by reigning champion Luke Littler, who has taken the sport by storm.

Yet Lewis believes even Littler would struggle against the greatest player of all time — Phil Taylor.

“He had ways of beating you before you even stepped on stage,” Lewis said of Taylor. “But honestly, he was so good it probably didn’t matter anyway.

“If you dropped him into today’s game, he’d still win everything. People say the standard is higher now, but the averages don’t show that.

“Phil was unbelievably consistent. He’d still be the one to beat if he was playing today.

“Luke is an incredible talent, but I’d still back Phil to beat him without a shadow of a doubt.”

Lewis even recalled a brutal personal experience to underline his point — a semi-final at the Grand Slam of Darts where he produced one of the best performances of his life… and still came up short.

“I was averaging 117 and I was 9-8 down,” he said. “What more can you do? I was basically hitting two 180s a leg and still losing.”

With his hunger reignited and his body transformed, Lewis is now preparing for one last shot at glory — and if he has his way, a third world title could soon be within reach.