Adrian Lewis has hit back after Barry Hearn’s “handouts” comment (Image: Getty)
Adrian Lewis refuted any suggestion he would accept a handout after losing his PDC Tour Card. ‘Jackpot’ announced last year that he was taking an indefinite break from for but confirmed his return to the sport ahead of 2025 in September.
Due to his inactivity, Lewis is set to lose his professional status in January and won’t be taking part in this month’s . Given that he’s a two-time former world champion and a four-time World Cup of Darts winner, some have urged the powers that be to give the 39-year-old special dispensation regarding his Tour Card.
But former chief Barry Hearn poured cold water on the idea, and insisted Lewis would have to go through Q School – their qualifying event – like everyone else to get it back. Reacting to Hearn’s comments on social media, Lewis stressed that he wasn’t looking for freebies.
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“I’d never want any handouts and I’d never ask for one,” he wrote on X, having quote-posted an article referencing Hearn’s remarks. “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.”
When asked by if Lewis would receive special treatment, 76-year-old Hearn replied: “[He will receive] absolutely none. Nor can there be [any special dispensation handed out].”
He added: “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.
Barry Hearn said Lewis wouldn’t be given any hand outs (Image: Getty)
“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.”
Speaking after earlier this year, Lewis insisted that he wouldn’t be rushing back into things after a difficult year. He said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the sport that I love, and to be backed by Modus Sports Management going forward. I feel refreshed and re-energised, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.
“I will not be rushing back to Q-School just yet, but I am not ruling it out in the future. Firstly I shall be looking to play the Modus Super Series in 2025 as my pathway back to the professional circuit.”
Lewis won the world title in 2011 and 2012 (Image: Getty)
Stoke-born Lewis began his career in the early 2000s and reached the quarter-final stage at his very first World Darts Championship in 2006 – beating Dennis Priestley, among others, along the way. He got to the last eight for a second time in 2008, and again in 2010, before finally clinching the title in 2011 courtesy of a 7-5 victory over Gary Anderson in the showpiece at Alexandra Palace.
Lewis successfully defended his crown 12 months later, beating Andy Hamilton 7-3 in the final. Later that year he won the World Cup of Darts for the first time, and went on to secure the title in three of the following four years.
However, his form dipped dramatically in the years that followed, and he hasn’t reached beyond the third round of the World Championship since 2016. But with his personal issues now seemingly behind him, plenty of fans will be hoping for a career revival next year.