Former world darts champion Ted Hankey will undergo a six to eight weeks' rest period after suffering a 'mild stroke'.

The 44-year-old had initially been diagnosed with a chest infection following last week's Grand Slam defeat to Michael van Gerwen, but tests revealed the extent of the damage.

"Ted will having six to eight weeks' rest. He had a transient ischaemic attack. The symptoms are that the face may fall on one side, causing mouth or eye to droop, may not be able to raise arms due to weakness, may have slurred speech, sudden loss of vision, dizziness, balance and co-ordination problems," his agent Dave Stevenson told reporters.

"These are some of the things Ted was going through. And he would like to say a huge thank you for the kind comments he has received."

Tests revealed that Hankey had suffered a transient ischaemic attack.