Andy Fordham tries to qualify for the world darts championship

Three hundred players were competing on 50 darts boards at Leisure World in Bridlington for the last four qualifying places on offer for January's BDO World Professional Darts Championships at Frimley Green Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Andy Fordham, 45, weighs 21 stone having lost 10 stone in weight since January. "When I look in the mirror now, I feel small and fragile," he said. "My wife says I'm not half the man I used to be, and she's not kidding." Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Birgita Gobel of Germany warms up for the first round of matches Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Fordham with his Viking darts flights Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

BBC darts pundit Bobby George, who is wearing glasses for the first time, loses in the first round Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Fourteen-year-old Pavel Korda from Czech Republic in his first-round match Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

The masses are forced outside to have a cigarette because of the smoking ban Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Fordham shakes hands with opponent Alan McNaughton after victory in his first-round match. "It wasn't pretty," he said afterwards. "I don’t think I’ll ever get back to my best, it’s a mixture of a few things, no drinking, losing the weight, no confidence. But I’d like to get back to compete at the highest level.” Fordham was knocked out in his second match by David Smith Hayes Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian