Adrian Lewis makes emotional TV return to the oche after a two-year break away from darts
- Josh Tonini
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
After just over 24 months away from the oche, Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis has formally announced that he will be gradually returning to darts! Adrian will commence the first phase of his return via the MODUS live lounge in Portsmouth, suggesting that the Super Series "is the perfect platform for me to gauge where my game is at." Although previously stating he would arrive "sometime in May," Lewis now believes the time is right to step back on stage to perform in front of the cameras.
Jackpot will excitingly feature in the second instalment of the MODUS Super Series' “World Pairs” special week at the live lounge in the last week of August. He will play alongside the 1996 Lakeside World Champion, Steve Beaton, a seasoned veteran of the sport who can undoubtedly unleash some fine finishing and some quality arrows. Beaton & Lewis will be representing England in the tournament. “I can’t wait to be up there,” Lewis said in an interview with Chris Mason on the announcement.
His partner, Beaton, has still been playing darts on a regular level, recently taking part in the World Seniors circuit and also making a couple of weekly appearances on the MODUS stage. The two-time World Cup of Darts winner will no doubt be one to watch that week, with plenty of eyeballs eager and happy to watch Jackpot play, under no pressure or expectation to perform at a level where he was untouchable.
In the lead-up to his return, Adrian has done a few local exhibitions to get himself into gear and in solid form to take on the field, including battling out against ADC Global Champion winner Devon Peterson & Andreas Harrysson, who will make his debut at the Alexandra Palace stage this year after some impressive results on the European Tour against some quality opposition.
Netherlands’ Jimmy van Schie & Danny van Trijp will aim to defend their title that they won earlier in the year.
Lewis announced his indefinite break from the PDC on April 22, 2023, after 20 years in darts. The last game Jackpot played before his announcement in front of the cameras was at the PDC’s UK Open in 2023 at Butlin’s Minehead. Adrian walked away from the sport due to falling out of love with the game, compounded by unfortunate family health concerns. It left thousands of fans stunned, sad, and concerned about whether Adrian would ever return. There will be no doubt that the fans will be giving him a welcoming reception online when he takes the stage and the small crowd in-person in Portsmouth on finals night, if Steve & himself do qualify.
Should Jackpot rediscover his prior form in the coming months, then there is always a chance he may desire to return to the pro ranks. Highly respected PDC referee Huw Ware talked to Adrian via his "Tops and Tales" podcast, openly stating that "nothing is off the table." With Q-School only 6 months away in January 2026, travelling over to try to win his tour card back is certainly an option that fans would love to see him pursue.
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