Gardener by day, darting superstar by night, Tommy ‘The Gun’ Morris is ready to rake in his newfound celebrity status when he makes his debut at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Morris, from Dorset, goes by the moniker ‘The Gun’ – like real-life boxer Tommy Morrison, who co-starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V as the Oklahoma boxer Tommy Gunn.
Both have something to prove! The 34-year-old has charisma, style, and some serious dance moves, and now he’s set to leave Dimitri van den Bergh, Ricky Evans and Devon Petersen trailing in his shadow.
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Morris has already made his mark by beating his idol Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Michael Smith – all former world champions.
“It’s just proving to people what I can do. This is not just a pub game for me now,” Morris declared to Sky Sports.
“At the start of the year I got invited to the first Pro Tour and it became sort of a domino effect. I’m glad I’m finally getting the results because I’ve kept going and not giving up. It’s going great at the minute. It really is.”
Morris dancer
Morris celebrates his Players Championship win in Leicester
Morris, who established himself on the MODUS Super Series, revealed he doesn’t want to “burst the balloon” when he makes his grand appearance on the big stage in Wolverhampton.
He has been drawn in Group C alongside former World Cup winner Josh Rock and Dutchman Kevin Doets.
“I can dance, but I want to make it a bit of a surprise,” he said. “I’ve got a party theme tune lined up. You’re going to love it. I’ll have a little shake, and we can have a good vibe. That’s what dancing is about – just entertaining!
“I’m a bit of a jester. I’m the fun one in the room. I don’t take things as seriously because that one game can make you give up. I want to keep going. I’ve learned that I need good energy around me.
“This is what is helping me progress. Good people, good vibes. And I’m looking forward to my walk-ons.”
Morris officially qualified for the World Championship for the first time, finishing third in the PDC Challenge Tour, but he will also feature at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, as well as in Wolverhampton.
Career progression
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Tournaments are coming thick and fast for Morris, who said: “I’m just going to take it in my stride. If it doesn’t go well, I’m still very proud of what I’ve done, what I’m doing. This is not the end of me. This is a start. So, this is the new progression that I need to get used to the cameras, the bigger stages.
“I’m hoping this develops me better as a player. And if it doesn’t, I’m still going to keep working at it, plugging away. But as of today, I’m very proud of what I’ve done and what I’ve achieved from the start of the year.”
Morris, who suffers from tinnitus in his ear, made it to Players Championship 32 final in Den Bosch where he was beaten by Chris Dobey, but he kept believing in his ability and sealed the Players Championship 34 title in Leicester with an emotional victory over former world champion Luke Humphries – sealed via a 161 checkout.
“I got so emotional when I actually done it. And if I’m honest, that hasn’t even sunk in. These little platforms and what I’m doing, they’re not really hitting me,” he admitted.
“I feel like when I’ve been at the Pro Tour now, I feel like I can compete with these guys all the time. Not just go down the pub and play Barry the Butcher.”
“I do class myself at the minute as one of the best players on the planet right now.”
Bow down to The King
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Morris’ dream is beyond winning the Wimborne Championship where he resides, but to claim a full-time tour card on the PDC circuit.
He has struck up an unlikely friendship with veteran player Mervyn King, whom he sees as his mentor.
“Merv is one of my best friends in darts right now. If not my best friend, he mentors me. He also calms me down because I’m really fiery and he’s really mellow. So this is why we work.
“We don’t get into going out to pubs, celebrating. We’ll go back, put the TV on and watch Vera or Silent Witness. We’re a bit boring.
“We’ve got fishing trips planned so we’re into the same hobbies, which is a bonus for what we do on and off the oche.”
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.