Phil Taylor is among the greatest players to ever pick up a set of darts. His record speaks for itself, with his tally of 16 World Championships unlikely to ever be bettered.
It's also fair to say that he was somewhat of a prickly character.
There was numerous examples of 'The Power' falling out with fellow pros down through the years, often on stage. He also had long standing feuds with a number of people in the sport.
In short, he had no problems letting his feelings be known. The World Championships back in 2017 provided a prime example.
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Remembering Phil Taylor kicking off at 2017 World Championships
Taylor was just after completing a 4-2victory over Kim Huybrechts in the third round of the tournament when he made his way up to the Sky Sports studio.
Wayne Mardle would go on to ask him why he struggled in the previous round against Kevin Painter despite winning 4-0 on that occasion, a question Taylor did not take well.
You can watch the incident below.
Mardle: I'm going to point out any negatives, but I will anyway. You played great against David Platt, you looked in control. Against Kev (Kevin Painter) the composure had gone but tonight it was back again. What was the difference with Kev?
Taylor: You've played Kevin.
Mardle: Yeah but you seemed so settled in one game and less settled in another.
Taylor: Kevin is hard work. He talks a lot and does whatever Kevin does, you know what he does. I'm not going to dwell on it. Kevin Painter is Kevin Painter. He's hard work and a hard player to play.
Mardle: But tonight there wasn't any point where you looked like...
Taylor: Of all people you should not ask me a question like that. You're going to put me in the shit. I'm going to say that because you have. You know what Kevin Painter is like.
You've asked me a question and I'm going to answer it.
Mardle: Your composure was good in the first game, it was gone in the second game, and in the third one it was back.
Taylor: It had nothing to do with that, you've asked me why the difference with Kevin Painter. You know what Kevin Painter is like, you know what he does, you know his antics and you know what he does on stage. Whether Kevin says he does or he doesn't, he does.
Mardle: But normally that wouldn't put you off. Why did he put you off easier?
Taylor: It didn't put me off. I won 4-0.
Taylor and Mardle had a few run-ins during their playing days, with the latter famously producing a brilliant comeback to win their World Championships quarter-final meeting back in 2007.
As every darts fan will tell you, it's never any harm to have a bit of bite in the sport.
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