‘I was going to quit darts at beginning of last year, but the wife said no’ – Ace opens up on partner’s health battle
MARTIN LUKEMAN has revealed how close he came to quitting darts – before wife Mel changed his mind.
The 39-year-old fought back from a set down to beat Indian qualifier Nitin Kumar 3-1 at the PDC World Championships on Thursday.
Martin Lukeman is through to the second round at Ally Pally – months after almost giving up darts[/caption]
Lukeman’s wife Mel has been battling cancer over the past two years[/caption]
Lukeman revealed after the first-round win he almost put his darts away for good due to his wife’s ill health.
Martin’s partner Mel has battled cancer over the past two years.
She is now cancer-free, but still has to undergo “prevention operations.”
Following his comeback victory over Kumar, Lukeman said: “The wife’s got a massive operation tomorrow.
“So I’m going to have to look after her, cook her dinner. But we’ll get through.
He added: “I was going to quit darts at the beginning of last year, but the wife said no.”
Mel was in the crowd at the Grand Slam of Darts in November as her hubby lost 16-3 to Luke Litter in Wolverhampton.
But an upbeat Lukeman paid tribute to her battling spirit after undergoing six months of chemotherapy.
Lukeman said: “My wife has been through so much over the past two years and she’s still got a lot more to go through.
“She hasn’t got cancer anymore, it’s all prevention operations now.
“She’s a trooper, she isn’t going to leave me. She had six months of chemo until last March.
“There were a couple of operations. I didn’t want to play darts but she kicked my a**e out.
“She also still drove me to play as well even though she was having treatment.
“I said I’d get the train but she insisted on driving me. She told me to get my head on and just play darts.”
World Darts Championship – top stories
READ MORE on all the build-up to the Ally Pally extravaganza…
All the info:
- All the action as it happens in our LIVE BLOG
- Everything you need to know about the Ally Pally extravaganza
- How much prize money can be won?
- What is the format for the tournament?
- Are tickets still available and how much do they cost?
- When is Littler playing?
- Why isn’t Russ Bray refereeing?
- Who are the Sky Sports presenters and pundits?
News, features and interviews:
- Mardle to take step back after tragic death of wife Donna
- Luke Humphries’ stunning FOUR STONE weight loss
- Emma Paton reveals rise as Queen of Darts
- Darts WAGs – from former walk-on girl to childhood sweetheart
- The biggest scandals in darts – from cough-gate to sexting
- Littler loses record to breakthrough star
- Peter Wright ‘lost it’ in emotional moment with daughter
Lukeman’s World Championship adventure continues against Andrew Gilding on Monday.
He added: “I know what to expect, he’s methodical, but a quality player.
“But I’ll beat Gilding and then come back after Christmas.”
