Darts star Andy Fordham was tonight in a 'stable' condition in a Surrey hospital after being taken ill shortly before his first-round match at the Lakeside World Championship in Frimley Green.
'The Viking', winner of the title in 2004, had been due to play Australia's Simon Whitlock in a contest due to be televised live at 6pm.
But at 5.30pm it became apparent the 44-year-old Londoner was not well enough to compete as he was experiencing breathing difficulties caused by a severe chest infection from which he had been suffering for a few days.
Fordham received treatment from paramedics just outside the practice area and an ambulance was called to the scene.
Wearing an oxygen mask, the 26-stone player was carried out of the venue on a stretcher to an ambulance that had been summoned in a 999 call and taken to Frimley Park Hospital.
A spokesperson for the hospital subsequently confirmed the Dartford publican's condition was stable.
Whitlock, who beat Fordham 3-0 in the first round last year, went forward to a meeting with Holland's Niels de Ruiter - a 3-0 winner over Brian Woods.
John Walton, the 2001 champion, had to take centre stage in Fordham's absence and made hard work of reaching the second round with a 3-2 victory over Denmark's Brian Sorensen.
The Yorkshireman was two legs down in the final set and therefore only one away from defeat, but found some big scores when it mattered to turn the match in his favour.
