By John Jones

Copyright walesonline

Gerwyn Price returns to action on Friday night as he takes on Luke Littler in a blockbuster World Grand Prix quarter-final in Leicester. The Welsh star reached the last eight by brushing away Josh Rock in a 3-0 win, with Littler setting up the tie by beating defending champion Mike de Decker by the same margin. Price is aiming to win the Grand Prix for the second time after lifting the title in 2020 and believes that he will get the better of world number two Littler if he brings his A-game tonight. “I really want to have a game against Luke,” said ‘The Iceman’ after booking his quarter-final spot. “I think I need to up my scoring game but if I put him under pressure it will be a good game. “He is playing well – I can’t take that away from him – but I am here to win. I am not scared of anybody. The key is that I don’t care who I play. I play the board, not the player. “I know if I play my A-game, nine times out of 10 I will win,” he added. “I think all the other players are scared of [Littler] before they get on the board, like with Phil Taylor years ago.” As he looks to get the better of the 18-year-old at the Mattioli Arena, here’s what you need to know about Price’s life away from the oche, from his huge net worth to his recent body transformation and his incredible Valleys ‘man cave’. In addition to the World Grand Prix title he sealed five years ago, Price is a former world champion who has also won three Grand Slams and two World Series Finals in his career to date. As a result, it’s no surprise to learn that he has accumulated a vast personal fortune over the years, with his net worth estimated to be as much as £3 million. According to PDPA records, Price has banked over £4 million in prize money over the course of his career, winning £50,000 at this year’s PDC World Championships alone after making it to the quarter-finals. He shares this fortune with his wife of seven years, Bethan, and their two children Emily and Bethany. Having met as teenagers, Bethan reportedly acts as an advisor to her husband in her role as a sports manager. Price is believed to have put his earnings to good use, investing in several properties in his hometown of Markham, Caerphilly , including a fish and chip shop. Price has been on a good run of form of late, with a win in the Players Championship last month followed by strong performances in the World Series of Darts and the Hungarian Darts Trophy. He has credited his recent weight loss as a reason behind his form at the oche, having shed an impressive three stone over the past few months. Earlier this week, the former rugby player revealed all about his new slimmed-down look, as he explained: “I’ve been playing right through losing weight. It’s gradually happened over the last six months or so. “You know how much darts is on these days, no chance for rest. While I’ve been playing I’ve been losing weight slowly and it’s been working. “Just mentally, I feel a lot better in myself,” he added. “When I’m putting a medium shirt on instead of an XL it feels a little bit better. As long as I’m confident in myself and feeling better going up on stage, it can only help.” Price admitted that the lifestyle that comes with being a professional darts player can make it hard for him to look after his body and eat the right things. “I don’t think it’s so much the travelling,” he continued. “Just the times and the food you have to get sometimes, especially when you are in Europe. “You come off stage sometimes at 10pm or 11pm at night and you’re absolutely starving and the only thing you can turn to is fast food. Scrap that, I’ll have something decent in the morning. Going to bed starving is hard work. But it works. “I knew I would lose it gradually. I wouldn’t lose it overnight. I haven’t lost a lot of fat on my arms. As long as you are practising and you get that muscle memory and repetition. It can affect different people in different ways. It’s been OK for me.” When he’s not competing in tournaments around the world, Price has the perfect sanctuary in which to unwind, having converted the basement of his home in Markham into the ‘man cave’ of dreams. The stunning room is divided up into different sections, with one area transformed into a cinema, complete with a 100” 4K TV, surround-sound speakers, a five-seater sofa and a lounge chair upholstered with his old darts shirts. He has also installed a planetarium ceiling, while a projector screen is at his disposal too. While the walls of the room are adorned with various mementos and keepsakes, including shirts, medals and vintage darts, more of Price’s achievements are celebrated in the bar area, which is filled with trophies and other awards and accolades, as well as plenty of bottles of fine spirits and ice-cold beers. The incredible room also boasts snooker and pool tables, offering Price a break from darts. However, the man cave, of course, comes with its own dart board, giving him an area to sharpen his skills.