Slimmer Fordham^s Darts Return

Less than a year ago, 31 stone Andy Fordham was rushed to hospital after suffering from chest pains and breathing problems prior to competing at the World Darts Championship.

Fordham had 18 litres of fluid drained from his lungs and was in hospital for three weeks.

However, things went from bad to worse for the 2004 BDO champion when he suffered a minor stroke a day after his release.

Fordham, now 10 stone lighter, made his first appearance on a British oche since his turn at Frimley Green last January, at the Winmau World Masters in Bridlington.

However, the 45-year-old, who began his comeback in Turkey two months ago, failed to secure one of the last four qualifying places on offer for next January^s BDO World Darts Championship after losing his second qualifying match.

"When I look in the mirror now, I feel small and fragile," he said before his first match.

"My wife says I^m not half the man I used to be, and she^s not kidding," said Fordham, who has given up the 25 bottles of beer he used to drink before a match.

"I don^t drink any more. I haven^t touched a drop since 8 January, when I went for a ride in that ambulance, and these days I only drink alcohol-free lager.

"I wasn^t able to play darts for seven or eight months, and even now I can only practise for an hour at a time, so I^m not expecting any miracles in Bridlington."