Mum's the word for darts ace Colin Lloyd

The former PDC No 1 was the focus of an exhibition at the Cleveland Arms Sports Bar on Stowheath Lane,

'Jaws' put on a show for the three-figure crowd in attendance, playing legs against 16 members of the audience including local PDC pro Matthew Dennant.

Bloxwich's Dennant, 25, watched in awe as, after missing a dart at tops for a 120 checkout, Lloyd took out 89 in two while on one knee.

He was hoping to remain in the city and catch some of the Grand Slam, which opens for eight days at Wolverhampton Civic Hall this afternoon.

But Lloyd, who played in the Grand Slams of 2007, 2009 and 2010, will be back home in Colchester, Essex, for his mother's birthday party.

The 43-year-old, who come off the PDC Pro Tour this year after losing his card, is enjoying the freedom entertaining rather than competing provides.

He said: "I always like to think I'm the Benjamin Button of darts, I'm actually getting younger as I'm getting older! I love coming here, I'm always made to feel very welcome.

"I'd have loved to have stuck around to watch the Grand Slam this weekend and I had planned to, but it's my lovely mum's 70th birthday.

"She's got a bit of a party going on back in Colchester and I love my mum to bits, so I have to be there for her, of course."

Lloyd never got past the last 16 of the Grand Slam, although he progressed past the group stages on all three occasions.

He was the PDC's top dog for all but three months between April 2005 and January 2007. His major title wins include the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay.

The only time he came across BDO players in competitive action was at the UK Open and Grand Slam, where eight are invited this year.

Lloyd has toed the oche with defending Grand Slam champion Michael van Gerwen 20 times during his career, winning eight times.

The two clashed in the second round of the 2013 World Championship, with the Dutchman coming out on top 4-1 (sets). Lloyd expects MvG to be a formidable force again at the Civic.

He said: "I always keep an eye on what is going on, Michael is setting the world alight and he's doing what Phil used to do all those years ago. People have fell in love with darts.

"No disrespect to Michael but he's waiting for Phil, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis to start banging again. If that happens at the Grand Slam, we'll see fireworks.

"We're pushing into the business end of the year, both world championships are on the horizon and let's see what the boys from the BDO can do. There are some fantastic players there.

"I'll be interested to watch if they can step up and make a name for themselves, because the PDC players will be fully focussed on that one.

"Each tournament if different, different game and different dollar, but I expect somebody to do something explosive at the Grand Slam.

"It's going to be fantastic and that's what people pay their money for, the Grand Slam is a major tournament and I've been a part of it myself.

"Do is wish I was there? Yes, I do but I had 17 fantastic years on the circuit and a great life. That fire in my belly is like a flicker and a match now, though, so I've left it to the younger players.

"Good luck to the all of the players. You've got to go with van Gerwen for the Grand Slam but, for someone who has never been pushed around, Phil will push him close."

Tickets for the Grand Slam are still on sale, by calling the Civic Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or online via www.theticketfactory.com/pdc.