Phil Taylor suggests new nickname for Owen Bates after banned one left Ally McCoist in tears

Darts legend Phil Taylor has given Owen Bates a new nickname after the latter's one was banned.

Bates was told he had to change his cheeky nickname as he prepares to make his PDC World Championship debut next month.

And speaking to talkSPORT on Wednesday morning, Taylor has suggested a new nickname that might not ruffle as many feathers.

Talking to Alan Brazil and Gabriel Agbonlahor, the topic of the upcoming World Championships came up - including Bates.

Brazil went on to ask Taylor if he could come up with a new nickname for Bates after 'The Master' was disallowed by the PDC.

Brazil said: "We have got to be careful what we say here. Owen Bates, known as The Master.

"Coming up, we have got the big tournaments over Christmas and New Year. We have got to find him a name.

"Or should we just leave him with Master?"

It took Taylor a second, but when the penny dropped he was quick as a flash.

He responded: "Ooh, yes. How about Psycho? After the Bates Motel?"

Brazil was impressed, saying: "Oh, Psycho! Maybe, maybe, maybe."

When the news broke that Bates would be part of the World Championship this winter, his nickname left talkSPORT's Ally McCoist in stitches.

The moment even reached Taylor, who went on to tell Brazil: "I saw the podcast of you and Ally when it first came out.

"You two were laughing your socks off. It was dead funny! Brilliant."

Earlier this month, McCoist was in stitches when told the story by Brazil on talkSPORT.

McCoist, who was in hysterics the entire way through the story, said: “He’s got to keep it, come on!

“He’s keeping it. It’s the best nickname. I love it man, it’s hilarious!”