‘I’d never ask’ – Adrian Lewis responds as Barry Hearn makes admission over tour status
Adrian Lewis has insisted he would ‘never ask’ for preferential treatment after recent comments from Matchroom president Barry Hearn. Lewis, a two-time world champion, has not competed in a televised event since the UK Open in March 2023. Adrian Lewis responded to Barry Hearn’s comments regarding preferential treatment The 39-year-old has since revealed the reason for his lengthy absence from the oche is because he had to care for his ill wife, who has an incurable kidney disease, and his daughter, who has autism. Lewis also opted against competing in the PDPA World Championship qualifier in November, which led to the loss of his Tour Card. It means ‘Jackpot’ must now go through Q-School to regain his Tour Card and compete on the PDC circuit once again. Given his status as a two-time world champion, fans speculated whether Lewis would be given a back-door pass to high-profile tournaments. But Lewis has since declared he has no interest in receiving freebies. “I’d never want any hand outs and I’d never ask for one,” Lewis wrote on X. “I’ve taken 21 months off the PDC circuit for my own personal reasons hence why I aren’t playing at this year’s world championships. “Hope everyone enjoys the tournament and enjoys the festive period.” Lewis’ comments come in response to Hearn, who shot down any hope of ‘Jackpot’ being given preferential treatment despite losing his Tour Card. “Absolutely none. Nor can they be,” Hearn the former PDC chairman, told The Sun. Lewis must go through Q-School to regain his PDC Tour CardGetty “It’s not about what you used to do – it’s about what you can do. “Does he have to go through Q School? Yeah. We’d welcome him back with open arms. “He’s a great lad and a great player. He has had his own personal problems. “Which he has to come to terms with. “But they are not our problems, they are his problems and it is up to him to solve them.” Although Lewis faces a battle to regain his tour card, he certainly does not appear to be fazed by it. Barry Hearn won’t give Adrian Lewis a free pass to PDC eventsGetty Lewis made an appearance at an exhibition event in Boston alongside fellow former world champions Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. But it wasn’t Lewis’ skill at the oche that made headlines. Instead, it was his remarkable rendition of Robbie Williams’ smash hit ‘Angels’. With his left hand in his pocket, Lewis cut a cool and composed figure on the microphone as fans sung along.
Adrian Lewis has insisted he would ‘never ask’ for preferential treatment after recent comments from Matchroom president Barry Hearn.
Lewis, a two-time world champion, has not competed in a televised event since the UK Open in March 2023.
The 39-year-old has since revealed the reason for his lengthy absence from the oche is because he had to care for his ill wife, who has an incurable kidney disease, and his daughter, who has autism.
Lewis also opted against competing in the PDPA World Championship qualifier in November, which led to the loss of his Tour Card.
It means ‘Jackpot’ must now go through Q-School to regain his Tour Card and compete on the PDC circuit once again.
Given his status as a two-time world champion, fans speculated whether Lewis would be given a back-door pass to high-profile tournaments.
But Lewis has since declared he has no interest in receiving freebies.
“I’d never want any hand outs and I’d never ask for one,” Lewis wrote on X.
“I’ve taken 21 months off the PDC circuit for my own personal reasons hence why I aren’t playing at this year’s world championships.
“Hope everyone enjoys the tournament and enjoys the festive period.”
Lewis’ comments come in response to Hearn, who shot down any hope of ‘Jackpot’ being given preferential treatment despite losing his Tour Card.
“Absolutely none. Nor can they be,” Hearn the former PDC chairman, told The Sun.
“It’s not about what you used to do – it’s about what you can do.
“Does he have to go through Q School? Yeah. We’d welcome him back with open arms.
“He’s a great lad and a great player. He has had his own personal problems.
“Which he has to come to terms with.
“But they are not our problems, they are his problems and it is up to him to solve them.”
Although Lewis faces a battle to regain his tour card, he certainly does not appear to be fazed by it.
Lewis made an appearance at an exhibition event in Boston alongside fellow former world champions Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
But it wasn’t Lewis’ skill at the oche that made headlines.
Instead, it was his remarkable rendition of Robbie Williams’ smash hit ‘Angels’.
With his left hand in his pocket, Lewis cut a cool and composed figure on the microphone as fans sung along.
