LAKESIDE CHAMPION Glen Durrant is relishing his chance to return to the big stage in Wolverhampton at the 2018 bwin Grand Slam of Darts.
Durrant heads eight competitors from the British Darts Organisation who will lock horns with stars from the PDC circuit from November 10-18.
This year's tournament has moved from the Wolves Civic to the Aldersley Leisure Village, and Durrant is aiming high in his third appearance in the tournament.
"It's a new venue and I guess that we're all on a level playing field there," said Durrant, who will face Simon Whitlock, Gerwyn Price and Andrew Gilding in the group stage.
"I'm looking forward to it, it's a big, big competition for us BDO players. It's a fantastic competition to go to and we're really excited.
"I really like Wolverhampton - it's a place that I really enjoy."
Durrant was a quarter-finalist in last year's Grand Slam, losing out 16-10 to Peter Wright after defeating Wright, Alan Norris and Dave Chisnall in the event.
"I really enjoyed it," reflected the 47-year-old. "The conclusion, against Peter Wright, was that I didn't play my best.
"I missed doubles and I only really started playing the game I can play when the match was over."
Durrant followed up his second successive Lakeside title by winning the BDO World Trophy in June, but was beaten by Warwickshire's Adam Smith-Neale in the final of the World Masters recently.
The Middlesbrough-based ace has opted to pick and choose his events on the BDO circuit this year, but after five tournament wins in 2018 is in confident mood.
"I averaged close to 99 at the World Masters and I've won tournaments before with a lot less average than that," he added. "Put me on a stage and I'm playing really well still."
Tickets for the bwin Grand Slam of Darts are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0870 320 7000.