Tuesday 15 November 2016 10:22, UK
Martin 'Wolfie' Adams shares his thoughts on returning to the Grand Slam, singing at the darts, his health scare, and missing a pre-match drink...
At the age of 60, Adams has seen it, done it, and worn the t-shirt, with that identifiable nickname of 'Wolfie' emblazoned on the back.
The three-time Lakeside champion caused a stir in the sport when he finally agreed to take part in last year's Grand Slam of Darts, a tournament which pits BDO players against their rivals from the PDC.
Not even an ongoing battle with cancer could prevent the much-loved Adams from returning this year, such was his enjoyment of that maiden appearance.
He lets out that familiar throaty chuckle when asked about the prospect of facing the big names from the PDC again at Wolverhampton.
"We're all darts players, we can all do it on our day," Adams told Sky Sports.
"It's not like anyone is playing with four darts and you've got one poor bloke only playing with three or two. It's a level playing field."
Adams has been drawn in the same group as Michael van Gerwen, the PDC's all conquering world no 1, and they will share the oche this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
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Few have been able to thwart MVG on his relentless title hunt this year, but Adams has been on the receiving end of painful upsets himself, and will be hoping to display the vintage finishing that saw him progress from his group in 2015.
It's all about having an enjoyable game, playing the best you can and entertaining the crowd that you've got with you.
"Darts is very much on the day," he said. "We all have our bad days. You've seen that with the Grand Prix. Someone you might expect to win, this time round he's lost. A bad day at the office, so you shrug your shoulders, put it behind you, and move on.
"It's all about having an enjoyable game, playing the best you can and entertaining the crowd that you've got with you."
Wolf howls filled the air as Adams, ever the entertainer, happily interacted with the vociferous crowd at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall.
But the veteran freely admits that sold-out arenas with a raucous atmosphere are far removed from the venues where he learned his trade.
"There is a lot more crowd noise than there ever used to be," said Adams. "I remember the days of flat caps and playing with your jackets on, and stuff like that.
"It was all deadly quiet in the pub when you were playing darts. If people sneezed, there was always someone that got upset about it.
"It's got a lot more noisier and rowdier, but I just hope and pray that it never really gets out of control. The singing and the chanting, if that's what people want to do, at the end of the day they have paid for their tickets.
"I can't say I wholeheartedly agree with it. But they have bought their tickets haven't they?"
One of the time honoured traditions that Adams missed 12 months ago, was a swift pint in the practice room.
The absence of a bar was greeted with disbelief and Adams joked about the lack of 'banter' as he rubbed shoulders with players from the PDC.
"I just couldn't believe what I was seeing," laughed Adams. "There was no bar in the players' room, that's got to be sorted out.
People have a little drink, have a chat, and there is always a few wind-ups, a bit of banter going on and so forth.
"A lot of players like a good drink when they're playing and before they are playing, maybe a couple of bevvies afterwards. If you're at one of the ranking events - I don't know what their PDC ones are like because I've never been to one - but at our ranking events, there is always a bar.
"People have a little drink, have a chat, and there is always a few wind-ups, a bit of banter going on and so forth. I missed that side of it."
'A shock to the system' is how Adams described his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, but his long-standing love for the game remains and he will be sporting that trademark smile, regardless of the result.
"If I take part in a tournament, I take it as it comes," said Adams. "If it goes well, it goes well, if it don't, it don't.
"Exhibitions are obviously a lot easier to do. You haven't got to worry about form, you just throw the darts and have a bit of a fun along the way, even if you lose a few more than maybe you would do.
"You've just got to keep laughing."
Watch Martin Adams against Michael van Gerwen in the evening session on day one of the Grand Slam of Darts, starting at 7.30pm on Sky Sports 5.
