Darts star issues heartbreaking statement after receiving ban for failed drugs test

Dom Taylor was kicked out of the World Darts Championship after failing a random drugs test (Picture: Getty) Dom Taylor has issued an apology after he was thrown out of the PDC World Darts Championship following a failed drugs test, citing family tragedy and heartbreak as a reason for his turn to ‘substances’. The 27-year-old got off to a dream start in this year’s tournament, seeing off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak with a comprehensive 3-0 victory on debut at Alexandra Palace. But Taylor’s joy quickly turned to despair after he produced an ‘adverse analytical finding’ in a random drugs test, leaving the Professional Darts Corporation with little option but to ban him from the competition. Taylor’s dismissal meant Jonny Clayton received a bye into the third round. Next up, the Welshman will lock horns with Niels Zonneveld, who got the better of 2023 world champion Michael Smith in round two. ‘In line with its ongoing anti-doping procedures the PDC and DRA are conducting drug testing during the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace,’ the Darts Regulation Authority confirmed in a statement on Friday. ‘On 19 December, the DRA was notified of an adverse analytical finding in respect of the player Dom Taylor resulting from a test conducted on 14 December. ‘As a result of this and in line with relevant DRA processes, Dom Taylor has been suspended from participating in any DRA regulated events with immediate effect. Taylor faced off against Sweden’s Lukasiak in round one (Picture: Getty) The Bristolian has apologised in a lengthy statement on social media (Picture: Getty) ‘This matter will now be the subject of a disciplinary process in line with the relevant DRA Anti-Doping Rules. ‘The DRA will not be making any further comment pending the outcome of this confidential process.’ In January, Taylor received a two-year suspension from darts after testing positive for a banned substance while competing at the Players Championship Finals in the previous year. This ban was subsequently reduced to three months after the substance in question was found not to be performance enhancing. It was then shortened again to just one month after Taylor agreed to complete a three-month treatment programme approved by UK Anti-Doping. The 27-year-old’s ban meant Clayton received a bye to the third round (Picture: Getty) In the wake of Taylor’s latest wrongdoing, the Bristolian has received a mixture of both support and criticism from fans and pundits in the sport. Perhaps wisely, Taylor has decided to keep a low profile in the days since the news broke of his failed drugs test – but he has now broken his silence with a lengthy post on his Facebook page, going into detail about his state of mind after a series of heartbreaking experiences in his personal life. ‘The first thing I need to say is sorry!!’ he wrote. ‘I’m sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys. All my fans, be it outside of darts or inside of darts. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Taylor is ranked 65 in the world (Picture: Getty) ‘Also, I need to apologise for blatant lying to you all in my interview after my win against Oskar [Lukasiak] last week, as I have been lying to myself and everyone around me. ‘It is no excuse but all I can put it down to are the traumas I had in my early teen life, finding my deceased nan in bed at the age of 12. ‘Then, within a year, multiple other events happened including my brother having a heart attack and being non-responsive for 45 minutes, along with a very close friend dying of a brain tumour, which all hit me very, very hard. ‘My parents being the great parents they are, got me counselling and help at the time but in hindsight I should have had more than just that little bit.’ Gerwyn Price reveals simple secret behind dramatic weight loss New footage shows distraught darts star Cameron Menzies burning his own hand on firework Cameron Menzies loses it on stage at World Darts Championship after shock defeat Taylor, ranked 65 in the world, added: ‘I have let many people down to say the least but most importantly I’ve let down four main people, my two daughters and my two biggest fans. My grampy passed before I made it.’ ‘All I’ve ever wanted was just to make everyone proud, which I hope I have done until this moment. ‘I know everyone, including my dad and family, are very upset and disappointed in me. ‘The anniversary of my daughter’s death this year hit me very hard, too, and that’s when I started struggling with my mental health again, and turned back to substances to allow my body and head cope with things. Not needing to worry about anything.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 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