Colchester's Colin Lloyd is set for a surprise return to the professional darts scene – after being persuaded to make a comeback by world number three Gary Anderson.

The former world number one – nicknamed Jaws – has not played on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit since late 2015, after losing his tour card.

But the 44-year-old, who has been a regular on the exhibition circuit over the last two years, is now planning to win his card back by competing at the next month’s PDC UK Qualifying School, in Wigan.

And it is partly thanks to a conversation with Anderson, who is one of a number of contenders to win the 2018 World Championship, which starts today at Alexandra Palace.

Lloyd told the Daily Gazette: “Gary Anderson is one of my best pals on the circuit and we had a very heart-warming chat.

“I recently did an exhibition with him up in Scotland - we got chatting afterwards over a coffee and he asked me why I wasn’t going to Q School.

“My first reaction was ‘after tonight’s performance – you must be joking!’ “He said that if he helped to sort things out for me, would I consider it.

“So the next evening, I met up again with Gary and my manager Tommy Gilmour MBE and they told me that if I decided to go to Q School, they would even pay my entry fees and hotel bills.

“Gary said he thinks I’ll get my Tour Card but he told me that if I don’t, then it doesn’t matter.

“He said there would be no pressure on me at all so I spoke to my wife Carol and she said ‘why would you not want to do it?’ “I want to go up there and perform and enjoy it.”

Lloyd has had a glittering career, with the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay among more than two dozen PDC ranking titles he has won.

But nearly two years ago, he decided not to pursue a return to the PDC circuit after losing his tour card.

Lloyd added: “If I play like an idiot and don’t play well, then I’m sure that I’ll sulk for a day or two.

“But I still think that I compete at that level.”

Lloyd has recently been working with Sky Sports as a spotter, alongside Keith Deller.

He said: “I sit in the truck watching the match that’s on and guiding the cameras to focus on a particular shot that player might play.

“It’s good fun and it’s been nice to be on the other side of the fence.

“It’s like I’ve come full circle a bit.

“It’s nice to sit there and watch the other guys sweat it out and seeing the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in full flow is an absolute joy to watch.

“When I was playing, I used to analyse things myself and now I’m watching another player going through the turmoil.

“It’s nice to show my face and have some of the younger players asking me for my advice, from time to time.

“The Sky Sports team are really good people and they’re a hard-working bunch.”

Lloyd will attend UK Qualifying School at Wigan’s Robin Park Tennis Centre from January 18 to 21.