Two-time world champion, 40, to make emotional darts return after over TWO YEARS away for live TV event
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ADRIAN LEWIS will next month make his return to televised darts – after a near two-and-half year absence.
The two-time world champion last threw competitive darts in front of the cameras at the PDC's UK Open in 2023 at Butlin's Minehead.
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Adrian Lewis is set to make his darts comeback next month
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It's been two long years since the ace was on the oche
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Yet after that tournament, he decided to walk away from the sport – and eventually lost his professional tour card – for family reasons and having fallen out of love with the game.
Lewis' wife Sarah has 'an incurable kidney disease' and his son 'has autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)', which has meant his full-time concentration and care.
However, SunSport can now reveal he plans to make a comeback at the MODUS Super Series in Portsmouth at 10pm on Thursday August 28.
It will be shown live and free on the MODUS Super Series Darts Channel on Pluto TV
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The Stoke star, 40, will represent Team England in a special 'International Pairs' week alongside Steve Beaton, 61, the 1996 Lakeside world champion.
The finals night will be on Saturday August 30 provided the English duo qualify.
It sees Lewis, a four-time World Cup of Darts champion, represent his country for the first time since 2017.
And he will also be reunited with his old sparring partner and mentor Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion, for a special event.
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Should he rediscover his form in the coming months, then there is a chance he may wish to return to the pro ranks but it would have been through Qualifying School in January 2026.
Darts supremo Barry Hearn does not plan to give him a special wildcard entry even though Lewis is a decorated and popular figure within the sport.
Adrian Lewis doesn't hesitate naming the three darts stars who are bigger villains than him
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Lewis will be reunited with old foe Phil Taylor
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Lewis said: 'The MODUS Super Series is the perfect platform for me to gauge where my game is at.
'I've been practicing well and have played well in a lot of exhibitions.
'It will be something very different for me but I've been watching the MODUS Super Series on Pluto TV and the standard is incredible.
'There are some brilliant players and I don't expect it to be easy. Nothing is easy in darts these days.
'I've taken time out to focus on my family life. I told Barry Hearn back when I made that decision that I don't expect any freebies if I do decide to make a comeback.
'I'm willing to work for it and maybe this can be the first step.
'It hasn't been easy over the last few years. My wife has to live with an illness and my son has autism and ADHD.
'I found myself travelling to events but not wanting to be there and wanting to be at home with them instead.
'I think I lost a bit of love for the game. I wasn't happy and my performances suffered as a result.
'I'm not making any long-term plans but I still have a lot to give and if this goes well then we'll take the next step at the right time.
'The main thing is I'm happy and looking forward to playing competitive darts on my own terms, in my own time, without the demands of the tour, for now at least.'
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