The British band are planning to host a huge tournament when they take to the road for their `Progress Live` European tour in May and Robbie has enlisted the help of the 15-time World Champion in order to crush his rivals.

Phil said: "We`ve had several sessions over the past few months. Anyone who knows Rob will tell you he`s very competitive and he wants to show the others he`s the best player.

"He`s a smashing boy and he`s not looking a bad player at all."

Robbie doesn`t need to worry about losing his touch when he takes to the road with bandmates Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Jason Orange this summer as Phil - who is nicknamed `The Power` - has promised to join him on tour to polish up his skills.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I`ll go and see Robbie at some stage on the tour to check on his progress. If I think he`s losing bits of his game, I`ll get him back on track. "

Robbie is not the only musician Phil has taken under his wing.

Justin Hawkins` relationship with his The Darkness bandmates became strained after he began getting private lessons from Phil and admitted darts had become more important to him than music.

He said: "I`ve been to two tournaments now supporting Phil. Darts has now become my life. It`s probably as important if not more important than the music."
sections: Celebrities