PETER WRIGHT has sensationally revealed that he was ready to quit playing darts before reaching the final of the 2014 World Championship.
Wright, who begins his William Hill World Darts Championship campaign on Friday evening, was runner-up to Michael van Gerwen three years ago and claims that his best run at Alexandra Palace changed everything for him.
Now world number three and a serious contender to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 2, it seems unthinkable that the sport's most colourful character was suffering a crisis of confidence.
But Wright revealed in the Betfair Big Interview that his run to the final was a pivotal moment in his career.
"It was huge for me," said Wright, who has now reached seven televised finals.
"At the time I was going to quit the sport so it was going to be my last tournament. I was ready to call it a day. But then I did really well and everything changed.
"Confidence is so huge in sport, and after that I felt I belonged at that level. My ranking has been going up ever since. It's the hardest thing, to believe in yourself.
"You watch all these amazing players and you think: 'Can I be as good as that, can I be anywhere near them?' Well now I think: 'Yes I can and I can be better too."
Wright, who faces the winner of the preliminary round match between Jerry Hendriks and New Zealand's Warren Parry in round one, believes he is now ready to take the next step and win his first televised title.
He added: "If I'm honest, even though I got to the final, I don't think I was quite ready to win a the World Championship back then but I'm ready now."
Friday evening also sees an all Welsh encounter between Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, while Steve Beaton faces Devon Petersen.
WATCH LIVE
The William Hill World Darts Championship will be broadcast live on the Sky Sports Darts channel.
Worldwide coverage is also available through a record number of live broadcasters, and online for PDCTV-HD Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands) through www.LIVEPDC.TV .