Nathan Aspinall has opened up on the "fantastic" lifestyle change he's made ahead of this season's much-anticipated Premier League campaign.
On Thursday night, the Stockport-born thrower will face former world champion Luke Humphries on the opening night of Premier League Darts 2025.
Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen will also meet in a World Championship final rematch, while Chris Dobey comes up against Gerwyn Price, and Stephen Bunting takes on Rob Cross.
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One of the big talking points coming into the opening night in Belfast has been the inclusion of Aspinall, who has struggled with injury and form in recent months.
In fact, fellow player Mike De Decker suggested that World Championship quarter-finalist Aspinall was only included in the line-up because of his walk-on song Mr Brightside by The Killers.
Speaking ahead of his match with Humphries, the world number 11 admitted he has spent less time on social media in the build-up to this season's tournament – and would later refuse to speak about De Decker.
"I've come off social media for a start, which, according to my missus, was a fantastic move because I got slated," Aspinall told Sky Sports.
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"But no, listen, I've said it recently that the only opinion that matters is the PDC's. People are entitled to their opinions, and people have their favourites.
"Whoever is in, we know others say, 'Well, Nathan should've been in; this guy should've been in'.
"People have opinions, and that's okay, but for me, the only opinions that matter are Matt Porter's and the PDC's, and they put me in, so I'm in."
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He added: "I don't need to prove anything. I am really good friends with Chizzy, and it isn't Dave who would have written [social media criticism].
"I have no issues with Dave because he won't have written that. That is a separate issue that I will deal with. And I am not going to talk about Mike De Decker. I am sick of talking about Mike De Decker.
"I will never forget the first time I met Barry Hearn, and he said we are entertainers as much as sportspeople, and that is what I bring to the table.
"I am an entertainer. I am also really good at darts, but I am also an entertainer as well, and that is just who I am as a person."
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Thoughts on Aspinall's decision to spend less time on social media? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Jack Kenmare