Adrian Lewis makes darts comeback after 29-month absence as fans react to footage

Adrian Lewis has made his comeback to darts after a 29-month absence from the sport.

The 2011 and 2012 world champion stepped away from the PDC in April 2023, with his last match having been a month earlier in a Players Championship event.

He signed a multi-year management deal with MODUS, who organise the MODUS Super Series events, in April of this year and confirmed he would be making 'regular appearances at their events'.

Lewis has taken part in a number of exhibitions during 2025, but made his official return to the oche on Thursday evening at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth.

'Jackpot' took part in a pairs match alongside fellow former PDC tour card holder Steve Beaton, facing off against the talented Swedish duo of Andreas Harryson and Anton Ostlund.

Lewis and Beaton won the match 4-3 in legs while averaging 91.

Lewis hit a 65 checkout to win leg one for his team, before scoring his first official 180 in over two years during leg three.

He then took out D20 for a 3-2 lead, before Beaton hit a 180 and took out a superb 88 finish in the final leg to secure the win for the English duo.

Lewis hit a 180 on his return to competitive darts (Image: MODUS)

Reacting to the footage, one fan wrote: "Some nice scores in there, will settle in and get better from here, class to see you back."

A second agreed: "Solid return from Aidy there. Blew away the cobwebs and settled the nerves."

A third stated: "Great to see Adrian back! Would love to see him hit great form and challenge the best of them."

And a fourth added: "Great to [see] Jackpot Adrian Lewis back and he's only going to improve the more he plays."

Lewis is back in action on Sunday when he takes part in another pairs competition, the MODUS Influencer Darts Showdown, alongside YouTube star Jaaackmate.

Why did Adrian Lewis quit the PDC?

Speaking to The Sun in September 2023, Lewis stated that he 'just needed freshening up a bit' when asked why he had decided to step away from competitive darts.

"I think I was getting a bit stale," he added. "The buzz wasn't there ... it was just that I didn't want to be there. My mind wasn't there. My mind wasn't on the darts."

Lewis' wife, Sarah, suffers from an incurable kidney disease, while his daughter has combined autism and ADHD.

He said: "My wife hasn't been very well. So I've been in hospital with her a lot of time. We're trying to balance everything at home."

Last December, PDC chairman Barry Hearn stated that Lewis would not receive a wildcard to compete in PDC events if he declared his intention to return.

The 40-year-old responded on Twitter: "I'd never want any hand outs and I'd never ask for one.

"I've taken 21 months off the PDC circuit for my own personal reasons, hence why I aren't playing at this World Championships."