Darts star almost had his hand RIPPED OFF by a shark before playing Michael van Gerwen in Bahrain Masters

MICHAEL SMITH'S darts career was nearly ruined when a shark almost ripped his hand off.

The animal-loving ace, 33, survived a mighty scare in his first match at the Bahrain Masters.

But not as terrifying as his ordeal on a fishing trip last week.

Bully Boy - who got his nickname while working on a cattle farm - enjoyed a spot of downtime in the Middle East ahead of returning to the oche for the first World Series event of the year.

However, it almost ended in disaster as a shark took a bite at him in shocking scenes.

Smith told ITV: “With Arabian fishing, there’s no rods, just line.

“Within a few minutes, I managed to hook into a 4ft shark.

"It didn’t feel as much but when I got it to the side of the boat, it started to kick.

"It ripped into my hand, nearly took my hand off, but it’s all healed now.”

Smith - and his hand - thankfully escaped to tell the tale.

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And he did another Houdini act as he got out of his tangle with Paolo Nebrida to win 6-5, after the Filipino missed two match darts.

Smith then thumped Peter Wright 6-1 before being edged out 7-6 by Michael van Gerwen in the semis in a repeat of the thrilling 2023 PDC World Darts Championship final.

The St Helens star said: “Last year was a bit of a struggle. It was my own doing. Too busy partying, having fun and being world champion.

“In 2022, I got to all those finals. I was pushing and pushing, but when I won it, I didn’t push as hard. I sat back on my laurels and thought I’d done it.

"Seeing Luke [Humphries] win it, it started to hurt, that I’d lost my title. Now I’ve got to work even harder to get in back.”

Van Gerwen, though, could not go all the way as he was stopped by teenage sensation Luke Littler in the final.

Littler - who hit an incredible nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall - then confessed he had not even practised before taking on the world's best in Bahrain.

He said: “No one probably believes me but I have not thrown a dart since. Thursday was the first proper practice I have put in.

“It has all paid off.  Michael is still one of the best. He is the very best. I’m just happy to win on my debut.

“It has been unbelievable. I haven’t really set any goals. I didn’t expect to pick up this trophy.”