World Darts Championship: Robert Thornton thanks his wife Christine for preventing him from committing suicide
World No 9 became depressed after the death of his mum and illness to his sister - even considering ending his life
ROBERT THORNTON thanked his “rock” wife Christine for preventing him from committing suicide.
The world No 9 was in an extremely low place a few years ago after the death of his mum.
When his sister also became very ill, Thornton, 49, was depressed and even considered ending his life.
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The Scot has had his fair share of difficulties — battling injury, alcoholism and almost dying of pneumonia in 2011.
But the love of his wife and family pulled him through the dark times.
Thornton said: “I have had a hard couple of years. It has been very difficult.
“Thankfully, I’ve had my wife and family behind me and they got me concentrating again on the darts.
“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d be here today.
“The past years have been that difficult. I’ve felt like just giving up. But they have kept me going.
“My wife’s my best friend. I love her. She is everything I need in a person. I can talk to her about everything.
“I don’t know where I’d be without her. When I go on stage I get texts from the family saying, ‘Dad, you can do it. Just believe’.”
Thornton, from Saltcoats in North Ayrshire, faces the winner of a preliminary between Zoran Lerchbacher and Simon Stevenson in the first round on Wednesday.
His wife Christine follows him on the road when possible and, after 28 years of marriage, he credits her with being his saviour on more than one occasion.
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Thornton, who won the 2015 World Grand Prix, added: “I just used to hit the drink really badly when I was 19 or 20, around the time when we first met. She got me through that.
“Christine comes on the road when she can. But since she needed a new hip and a new left knee, she has curtailed her travelling.
“My sister is not too bad. She’ll make a full recovery.”
The darts circuit can be a lonely place and world No 6 James Wade has spoken at length about his own battles and his bipolar condition.
Thornton said: “Darts players are good at giving the persona everything’s OK.
“Today, my mind is clear. But there are many players who have a lot of turmoil and they don’t show it.
“I’ve had umpteen chats with Wadey — if I know any darts player who has gone through something like me, I will go and talk to them.
“I will always try to help someone if I can.”