Phil Taylor claimed he was s******g himself upon his return to darts since 2018.
The tungsten icon defeated Peter Manley 3-1 in round two of the World Seniors Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern in Essex.
However, it wasn’t the efficient and ruthless Taylor fans had become accustomed to watching over his three-decade career, as he struggled for rhythm.
He only averaged 81.29 as he limped to victory and admitted post-match that the nerves got to him.
“I've never been so nervous in all my life – I was s****ing myself,” Taylor said.
“I can promise everyone who bought a ticket, or who's watching on BT Sport or the BBC iPlayer, I'm working my socks off and I'll play better than that.
“Peter and I have had some battles here, but it's more fun now because we work together week in, week out on the exhibition circuit.”
The four-day event featured a £30,000 prize for the winner, and the 16-time world darts champion was almost on the verge of an early exit.
After losing the first leg, Taylor came from behind to beat Manley in the second round.
Playing for the first time since a defeat to Rob Cross in the final of the 2018 World Darts Championship, Taylor appeared frustrated on stage.
He was seen repeatedly shaking his head as he lost the first set to Manley, before recovering and win by three sets to one.
“I tried so hard, I was pushing and pulling them, I tried everything to get them straight,” admitted Taylor.
“We can’t play the darts that we used to but tomorrow is a different day, I’ve got to get my head on.
“It was like I was playing with my left hand, it was weird. I wasn’t trying too hard to beat Peter, I was trying to please the people who had paid money to see me.
The darts legend will face Kevin Painter in the quarter-finals tonight, after he overcame Wayne Warren 3-0 in the previous round.
The 2011 Players Champion won nine straight legs to cruise through with an average of 94.5 to progress.
“It was a cracking atmosphere in there tonight,” said Painter. “This is like the old days at the Tavern and you can see people are coming out to see proper darts.
“It’s not an exhibition here, we’re here to play some proper darts and do some damage.
“I played well, I felt a little bit nervous, I don’t know why. I expected a bit more from Wayne and I was waiting for him to kick on but he never got going.
“We all know how good Phil [Taylor] is and we all know what he can do. I’m not going to kid myself, he’s going to play well. I have to play well and if I can play like that, I’ll cause him a few problems.”
