• BDO World Championship

Hankey quits BDO to join Taylor on the PDC Tour

Ted Hankey is heading for Phil Taylor territory © PA Photos

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The controversial figure of Ted Hankey is heading to the PDC Tour after he bade farewell to the BDO on Saturday.

Hankey, a two-time BDO world champion, crashed out at the semi-final stage this weekend, losing 6-5 to Christian Kist. The Count had led 5-3 and then had a dart for victory at 5-4, but ultimately lost out to the Dutchman.

Now Hankey, 43, has confirmed he will switch allegiances to the PDC Tour, where he will go head-to-head with the legendary Phil Taylor.

Fifteen-time world champion Taylor recently urged Hankey to join him on the PDC circuit, saying: "Ted should show some bottle, come over and have a go. We're both Stokies and I want him to come over."

Hankey has taken up that offer, commenting after Saturday's defeat: "This is it for me. Thanks a lot to everyone, I've had great support here but times change, I've made my decision.

"I'll miss this place, you can't explain the Lakeside atmosphere, but it's time to move on."

The PDC has offered Tour cards to all four of the BDO World Championship semi-finalists, and the roster will be confirmed on January 18. A statement on the official PDC website read: "The Professional Darts Corporation can confirm that the four semi-finalists of the 2012 Lakeside Championship will be offered two-year Tour cards to compete on the PDC circuit.

"The BDO has issued a written notice to release without penalty a player from his Playing Agreement with them and therefore the PDC is able to confirm that any of the four players who wish to take up a place on the PDC's £5 million professional circuit are entitled to do so upon notification being made to the PDC by 12pm on Wednesday January 18."

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