6 days ago
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Two-time darts world champion Peter Wright has been told to fix his faltering form at the oche by putting weight back on after losing three stone.
Wright, 55, has undergone a remarkable body transformation over the past few months after dramatically changing his lifestyle, having taken inspiration from the weight loss journeys of Luke Humphries and Ross Smith.
'Snakebite', who endured a dismal run of form in 2025 and dropped down to 16th in the world rankings as a result, took drastic action by shedding three stone in an effort to rediscover his spark for the game.
But Wright's woeful form has persisted since the drastic weight change.
Most recently, the Scot crashed out of the World Grand Prix in Leicester following a 2-1 first round defeat against defending champion Mike De Decker.
His rival and fellow countryman Cameron Menzies, who progressed to the World Grand Prix quarter-finals with a victory over Robert Cross on Wednesday, believes the weight change has had a negative effect on Wright's form .
Peter Wright has been told to fix his faltering form at the oche by putting weight back on
Wright has undergone a huge body transformation since his World Championships exit to Stephen Bunting in January (left), having lost three stone after a change of lifestyle (right)
Cameron Menzies believes Wright's decline in form is directly linked to the weight loss journey
'If you go back years ago when Phil Taylor lost a bit of weight, when doing the charity run I believe, his darts weren't helped,' Menzies said, comparing Wright to the 16-time world champion.
'It's scary how you change your physique as a person, and your darts don't go well. Peter's lost three stone I think, I don't really know (exactly) but you can see he's doing really well.
'These things are going to affect you. If you lose the weight, and I may be clutching at straws, your hands and stuff, but Phil Taylor done it. He lost a ton of weight, died his hair, had earrings and stuff and it went Pete Tong for him. He put the weight back on and went back to winning titles.
'Peter's still a great guy, great player. And we need him in darts so I hope he finds his form again.'
Taylor, now 65, lost five stone and went through a stunning body transformation ahead of winning his final world title in 2013.
Despite not adding to his huge collection of world titles after the weight change, 'The Power' went on to win several other honours, including the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts.
Taylor, rubbishing the idea that weight affected his form, told the Mirror at the time: 'I am a lot fitter and sharper, I can really tell the difference.
'I don't think it is strange to do a programme like this. A lot of men are concerned about their weight and a lot of people want to get healthy.
Menzies claims Wright's struggles at the oche are similar to Phil Taylor's after he lost weight
The two-time world champion, 55, humourously called himself a 'big fat f***' in January
'I have always wanted to lose weight and constantly tried diets but it has been very difficult.
'This has been the first time I have succeeded. I aim to keep the weight off. I don't want to get to 55, 56 and have a heart attack.
'Health is very important, much more so than money, so I am now very determined in doing this right once and for all.'
Wright, after losing to Stephen Bunting in the World Championships semi-final last year, humourously admitted he was a 'big fat f***' and revealed he would like to try to shed weight and eat properly for himself and his family.
'I've got to be losing weight soon,' he said in January. 'That will be good. Everyone else is doing that same thing.
'It's no good being a fat old darts player up there, trying to play darts. Make it work, work hard, and the results will come.
'I want to lose a couple of stone. That means more exercise. Eat properly. We're having a pool built for the grand kids. I cannot swim.
'So Jo (his wife) will either put her foot on my head – or I have got to learn to swim.'
