Lisa Ashton: World Darts Championship bid almost derailed by husband’s heart attack

Up for the cup: Lisa Ashton
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Lisa Ashton will take to the oche at Ally Pally on Wednesday bidding to emulate Fallon Sherrock’s heroics last year.

Sherrock became the first woman winner at the World Darts Championship in London 12 months ago and the women’s No1 revealed she very nearly didn’t make the main draw after her husband suffered a massive heart attack.

Derek was rushed into hospital to undergo heart surgery just a week before her qualifying tournament for the event.

“Derek said one say he didn’t feel well,” Ashton, who takes on Adam Hunt in round one, told The Sun. “As the evening went on, he felt worse. He said, ‘I feel like I can’t breathe, I need an ambulance’. It was a very scary time.

“The paramedic said, ‘I’m sorry Mr Ashton, I’m going to take you into hospital as you’re havig a massive heart attack’. It was panic stations. They rushed him straight in and had operating people already waiting for him. He had three stents put in and we couldn’t visit him until the came out.”

2020/21 PDC William Hill World Darts Championship - Day One
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Meanwhile, defending champion Peter Wright got off to a winning start last night in a Grinch-inspired custom. “Cheer up everyone, it’s Christmas,” said the 50-year-old following his 3-1 victory over Steve West. 

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