Darts star reveals brazen thief stole his GLASSES while going to the toilet as he finally dons specs after 21 years

DARYL GURNEY has revealed he waited 21 YEARS to put his glasses back on after having them stolen during a tournament.

The world No29 has spent the last three weeks getting used to life in frames on the oche as he looks to rediscover his best form.

Gurney, 40, endured a difficult 2026 campaign, missing out on the World Matchplay for the first time since 2015 and failing to qualify for the World Grand Prix.

But the Northern Irishman reckons the new specs could give his game a boost, with his right eye having always been short-sighted.

He told Winmau: “I’ve always been short-sighted. I was playing with glasses when I was 19, probably for a year or something.

“Then in a competition I got knocked out in the latter stages, like a semi-final. I just sat them down, went to the toilet, came back and they were gone.

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“I feel like it has improved me. I go into practice some nights, I have only been doing it for the last three weeks.

“My first match was the World Series Qualifiers. I rocked up there, gave it a good go and won a couple of games there.

“It was a good feeling knowing whenever you put your foot on the oche, knowing there is something wrong, and realise it is my glasses, then put them on again.

“Hopefully they are an improvement. If not, then they are going in the bin.”

Gurney has also gone without a ProTour semi-final for the past two years.

But his unexpected return to the World Series Finals gives him the chance to test his new-found vision against one of the biggest names in the game.

The two-time major winner received a late invitation to the Amsterdam showpiece alongside Maik Kuivenhoven after Filipino duo Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo withdrew because of visa issues.

His reward is a first-round meeting with defending champion Michael van Gerwen, but Gurney insists there is no pressure on him going into the clash.

He added: “Of course I was going to say yes. A chance to play on TV again, especially it being on a massive stage.

“I am looking forward to it. Thanks to the PDC for inviting me. Every game I am playing now recently with the glasses is a new experience.

“So, will I be wearing them next week? I am not sure. Probably nine times out of ten I will be wearing them.