Taylor plays Dennis Priestley in a friendly match in Sheffield on Thursday

World champion Phil Taylor has admitted that it is a surprise to be regarded as a fans' favourite, despite dominating the sport for two decades.

Taylor, the 14-time world champion, is still the biggest draw in darts and attracts huge audiences.

He told the BBC: "I've got the same manager as (six-time world snooker champion) Steve Davis - Barry Hearn.

"He says when Steve did what I was doing, he got booed. I seem to get more support for it. I've been very lucky."

Taylor, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, plays old rival Dennis Priestley in a friendly match at the Sheffield Arena on night 13 of the Premier League on Thursday.

The fixture list has been amended because of the withdrawal of Wayne Mardle, who has been suffering from mumps.

Taylor has already qualified for the semi-finals at Wembley on 25 May.

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