Richie George: 'Diabetes battle made me strong'

Richie George has revealed that his lifelong battle against diabetes has made him a "stronger" person.

The English darts player was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 14.

"I became really ill when I first got it," the Daily Star quotes the 23-year-old as saying. "I was diagnosed late.

"When I think back, I could have died if I hadn't been diagnosed when I did. So, in a way, I would say it has made me a stronger character.

"I know that Steve Douglas (who suffered a heart attack) has had his health problems this year and that has made him a stronger person, too. It is only a game of darts, at the end of the day – your health is far more important."

George will take on Jan Dekker in the quarter-finals of the BDO World Championships on Friday.