A darts hero, who won the World Cup alongside Peter Wright, has opened up on a major health scare during weight loss journey

A darts hero has opened up a major health scare that forced him to turn his life around. John Henderson underwent a huge weight loss journey after doctors found a tumour in his kidney.

Hendo, 53, is still playing in the MODUS Super Series with a drastic new look after he shed an impressive 45 kilograms. The Highlander, when speaking about his health said: “They found a tumour in my kidney and I had to get it removed and it was, unfortunately it was cancer.

“We’re all good with that, we’ve gotten over that. I’ve had the op, we got the tumour removed and [I’m] 100 per cent fit trying to lose some more weight.

Make sure you never miss the most fun content in sport by making the Daily Star one of your Google preferred sources.

"I’m in a good place with my health now so it’s just a case of getting the darts back on track which I’m working hard to do.

“I think I’ve lost just over seven stone in total. I’m going walking. I’m doing the right things. I’m eating healthier, I’m doing a lot more exercise. And I feel a lot better for it.”

He's also changed his throw as he aims to make it back to the big time: “I’ve actually reduced the grammage in my darts. I’m throwing 23s instead of 24s now. So that’s been a bit of a change.

“People are saying to me that I’m not rocking as much. But to be fair, in my head I don’t rock anyway.

"So people are telling me that I’m not rocking. I think I’ve adapted a wee bit. But no, no, it’s taking time. But we’re getting there.”

Hendo pulled off one of darts' most famous moments when, in front of partisan home crowd, he held Michael van Gerwen to a draw in the Premier League.

In 2021, alongside Peter Wright, Hendo lifted the World Cup of Darts. And he's now hoping to get back to those heights after setting his sights on winning back his PDC Tour Card in early 2027.