Darts champion Andy Fordham was forced to withdraw from the clash of the world champions after suffering an asthma attack during the game.

Fordham, the British Darts Organisation champion, seemed to be struggling under the television lights and asked to take a break from the game at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, last night.

He was given first aid treatment at the venue before his wife and other family members drove him home.

Fordham’s illness forced him to concede the game to Phil Taylor, who was leading 5-2 in the best-of-13 sets contest dubbed ‘The Showdown’.

Taylor, an 11-time world champion, said: “I am absolutely devastated, not just for myself but for the people who have paid all the money and also for the people sitting out there waiting.

“During that set Andy said, ‘I can’t get my breath, I can’t breathe’. I said ‘Do you want to have a break?’ and he said, ‘I need to, yeah’.

“He’s sitting outside. I haven’t a clue what is going on, to be honest with you. He just told me that it’s all over and I’ve won by a technical knockout.”

Circus Tavern general manager Peter Roue said Fordham had looked increasingly unwell under the heat of the television camera lights before suffering an asthma attack.

He said: “He was pretty rough. There is so much heat focused on the area and I think it overwhelmed him to the point that he couldn’t continue.”

Mr Roue said Fordham was given medical treatment in the Tavern’s VIP area but decided to concede the match.