BREAKING: 16-Time World Champion Phil Taylor Confirms Plan To Retire

For decades now, Phil 'The Power' Taylor has dominated the darting circuit but after winning 16 World Championships and six PDC Player of the Year awards, the 56-year-old has confirmed that he will retire at the end of 2017.

Taylor announced the news during the Darts Masters on Friday evening.

He previously hinted about his retirement after the defeat to Raymond van Barneveld at the World Championships over the New Year period, but he has now confirmed the news in an interview with ITV.

"It is the last year for me. At the end of the year, that's me done. The World Championship will be my last ever tournament. No more."

As well as 16 World titles, Taylor won 216 professional tournaments during his incredible career, including 84 major titles.

But 2017 will be the end for the Stoke-On-Trent born champion as he will take his final bow at the World Championships later in the year.

It will certainly be an emotional tournament for the 56-year-old. If you're like me, and you've watched Darts for years and years, you simply cannot imagine the Sport without Phil Taylor.

Taylor

In tonight's tie against Michael Smith, Taylor rolled back the years with a classic 133 finish:

The end of an era.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_