PHIL TAYLOR was the runner-up in the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday night.
The 15-time World Champion joined the other nine nominees for the awards at Birmingham's LG Arena on Sunday night for the televised ceremony.
The public vote saw Taylor finish second to jockey AP McCoy, with athlete Jessica Ennis in third place.
The achievement saw Taylor recognised for his achievements both in 2010, when he won his 15th World Championship and hit two nine-dart finishes in the Premier League Darts final, as well as over the last two decades.
Taylor, who also turned 50 in 2010, will return for the second round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on December 27, when he will take on John Part or Per Laursen.
"It means the world to me," said Taylor. "It was my dream to come in the top three, and second is a brilliant result for me and for darts.
"It's fantastic and I can't be any happier than I am now after all the years of dedication I've put in.
"It's a shock that sports people actually know who you are. David Beckham came up and said 'How are you, how are the kids? I heard you had a little grandson this week'."
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: "I'm delighted for Phil and it's incredible for him that, with so many household names nominated, he has been voted as the runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
"It's a huge compliment for the sport of darts itself to be recognised so highly by the British sporting public."
Sky Sports commentator Sid Waddell said: "It's the greatest day ever for the sport of darts.
"In 1977, a BBC executive said darts would go on television over his dead body, and I have been shouting in the wilderness like Moses in the desert about how great our sport is since 1978.
"One man and his amazing achievements has been endorsed by a massive public vote. The records he has set in the last 18 months have really percolated to the public's consciousness.
"I think his pride, and that of his family, will be boundless."