Yahoo Sport 
Darts legend Phil Taylor on his love of the North East ahead of Seniors event
Darts legend Phil Taylor loves the North East so much he almost bought a house in the region, now he's gearing up for a return to the area with the World Seniors Darts Tour - even if he won't be playing.
The tour heads to Washington on November 8 and 9 for a night of rolling back the years with darting action from former pros over the age of 50.
In an exclusive interview with The Northern Echo, Taylor expressed his love for the North East.
"I used to love playing in the North East. I used to stay at Whitley Bay at one time in the guest houses there.
"The North East people are salt of the earth, aren't they? All Northerners are!"
One part of the region is particularly close to the sporting superstar's heart. "Cullercoats I fell in love with," he said.
"I nearly bought a house there. I love Cullercoats I thought it was beautiful.
"Back then, a nice house on the front of the beach was about £150,000. I think it's about 500 and odd thousand now, I wish I'd have bought 10!"
(Image: Nick Ansell/PA Wire) The Washington event was originally slated to be the 16-time World Champion's swansong Seniors event, but The Power had to pull out of the line-up as a result of an injury.
Most read in sport
Regis Le Bris' message to Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda
Michael Carrick praise for Middlesbrough's Anfernee Dijksteel
Lloyd Kelly transfer admission & Newcastle trophy hope
Arguably the greatest darts player of all time, Taylor said that suffering a tear to scar tissue was "worse" than the pain after his recent hip operation.
"I tore what you call your scar tissue doing a little bit of work too quick," Taylor said.
But The Power will still make an appearance at the event and will be taking on media duties for the weekend as a commentator.
He hailed the 'hundred-mile-an-hour' nature of the modern game and predicted it would not be long before another major title for a North East dartist - Bedlington's Chris Dobey won the Masters in 2023.
Echoing the sentiment of Middlesbrough's Glen Durrant - who plays Paul Hogan in the second match of Friday's session in Washington - Taylor said the Seniors is a great way for players to keep playing competitive competitions after their 'prime'.
"I think the Seniors will push on now some of the older names are beginning to drop down the rankings I think they'll come over."
Taylor will be handing over the trophy to the winner of the event and the prospect of a North East victor at the Washington event is one that Taylor appreciates.
"That would be good, wouldn't it?" he said after being asked if he expected to hand over the trophy to Teessider Durrant. "I hope he does well!"
Tickets for the event are still available to buy at https://dartshop.tv/wsdt-masters-8th-9th-november-2024/.
