Taylor threatens to 'walk away'

Phil Taylor sensationally threatened to walk away from darts after his grudge match against Chris Mason at the Ladbrokes.com World Championship spilled over into open hostility.

Mason's pre-match attack on the 13-time world champion, in which he accused him of being arrogant and materialistic, only served to fire up Taylor, who eased to a 4-0 victory before exchanging angry words with Mason, who was clearly unwilling to let his opponent walk off stage until he had said what he wanted to say.

Taylor described what Mason had said as "filth" and added: "During the match, he was arguing with the crowd and at the end he 'effed and blinded' at me. I don't like it and there's no need for it. I don't want it. If they are going to do that, then don't invite me again, because I'm not going to play with people who are going to 'eff and blind' at me."

He continued: "I shook his hand and went to go and he said 'Don't effing something else'. I don't like it and I won't put up with it."

Asked what he could do about it, Taylor replied: "I'll just walk away. Keep the game - I don't want it. I'm not going to listen to filth when I'm trying my hardest.

"I've put 18 years of my life into this game and I won't be talked to like a piece of dirt. I won't put up with it. You can get someone else to take my place, because I'm not putting up with it any more off people like him.

"I'll see him upstairs in a minute, and we'll see how big and brave he is.

"I've had it for years off the players. It's silly. They don't work hard enough and they are blaming me for their mistakes. It's not my fault. I'm just a working-class man who has done well for myself."