I survived prostate cancer… it’s imperative to catch it early, says darts ace Dennis ‘The Menace’ Priestley

BACK when Dennis Priestley was working his way up to become world champion, darts was very different.

The Yorkshireman had to endure drunks walking in front of him in tournaments just as he was about to throw.

AlamyDennis Priestley says he had to endure a lot during dart tournaments back in the day[/caption]

News Group Newspapers LtdDennis, nicknamed Dennis The Menace, grew up in Mexborough, South Yorks, and started playing darts for pub teams in the late 1970s[/caption]

And there was so little money in the sport that he didn’t dare give up his coal merchant business and go professional until he won his first world title at the age of 40.

It’s a far cry from this year’s championship, where the prize pot is £2.5million and on top of that another £1million could be donated to the Prostate Cancer UK charity, thanks to sponsors Paddy Power.

‘Glad I opted for surgery’

Dennis, 73, who has survived prostate cancer, said: “It is imperative to catch it early.

“A lot of men won’t go, but it’s nothing, I assure you.

“I want to promote tackling prostate cancer because it is one of the biggest killers.”

Tournament sponsor Paddy Power fooled top players, including legend Phil “The Power” Taylor, into believing it was going to turn the treble 20 on the dart board from its traditional red to green — before revealing it was a stunt to highlight the dangers of prostate cancer.

The bookie will donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK every time one of the players hits the maximum 180 score during the forthcoming world championships at Alexandra Palace in North London, which runs from December 15 to January 4.

It could reach £1million if enough players score the magic three treble twenties in a row.

Dennis, nicknamed Dennis The Menace after wearing black and red shirts like The Beano character, grew up in Mexborough, South Yorks, and started playing darts for pub teams in the late 1970s.

He reached the final of the big-time News of the World darts championship in 1989 but it was not enough to convince him to give up the day job.

The father of four says: “I had a young family, four children, my own business, coal merchant.

“There were other priorities.”

On entering the Embassy BDO World Darts Championship for the first time at a Surrey country club in 1991, Dennis just hoped to reach the quarter finals in order to gain an automatic slot the following year.

Dennis defeated Phil “The Power” Taylor in the quarter final and then the late, great Eric Bristow in the final.

He says: “When I got the winning chance, it was a 101 finish.

“I am thinking, ‘Come on Dennis, you’ve got to do this, don’t be limping over the line’, I hit the 101 and it was a great relief.”

He went on to win the first PDC world championship in 1994, beating his pal Taylor to the title in the tournament broadcast on Sky.

Dennis’s indomitable spirit was demonstrated by his reaction to being told he had prostate cancer in late 2007.

He didn’t take a break from darts even after having an operation to remove the potentially fatal tumour.

Dennis says: “I opted for the surgery and I am glad I did.

“It is 16 years in January since I had the operation and thankfully I am talking to you.”

Check your prostate cancer risk by visiting prostatecanceruk.org/180-risk.