Phil Taylor got 'big slap' from Freddie Flintoff and left golf star fuming at BBC SPOTY awards
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Phil Taylor thought he suffered an internal injury when Freddie Flintoff congratulated him at the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Taylor, 64, finished as runner-up to horseracing legend AP McCoy, who had just rode 'Don't Push It' to win the Grand National at his 15th attempt. While the 16-time PDC World Darts Champion was not victorious, many thought he deserved to win the prize for his historic campaign, which saw him win his 15th World Championship, hit a double nine-dart finish in the Premier League and take six other major titles that year.
Flintoff, 47, was one of the many people who thought Taylor - the last darts star to be nominated for the award before Luke Littler this year - deserved more than the 10.33% of votes he earned on the night. Meanwhile, golf legend Ian Poulter was furious that he finished second, claiming his fellow pals Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell deserved more votes than 'The Power'.
While Poulter was expressing his unhappiness on social media, Flintoff was telling Taylor that he deserved more. He did so in a way that almost left the darts wizard needing a trip to A&E. Looking back on his interaction with the England cricket legend, Taylor said: "Freddie Flintoff (who presented his trophy) slapped me on the back and whispered 'you should have won it'. I'm going to have to see the doctor as I think he broke three ribs!".
