Michael van Gerwen has revealed the two reasons for his 20kg weight loss ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship.The Dutch darts star is eyeing a fourth world title at Alexandra Palace this month.GettyVan Gerwen has revealed he has lost 20kg ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship[/caption]Van Gerwen was beaten in the final by Luke Littler last year but has struggled to maintain the form which saw him finish as runner-up.It follows a difficult year away from the oche for the 36-year-old.Mighty Mike revealed earlier this year that he had separated from his wife Daphne.Meanwhile, his dad has also been battling cancer during the last 12 months. As a result, Van Gerwen opted out of appearing in the final three ProTour floor events.His absence meant he missed out on the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career.The world number three is now ready to return to the stage at Ally Pally for the PDC World Darts Championship.Ahead of the event, Van Gerwen lifted the lid on his recent 20kg weight loss.Van Gerwen’s body transformationSpeaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast, he explained: “I’ve lost more than twenty kilos and we’re not there yet. I still need to drop about ten.“Part of it comes from living and moving consciously, but part was due to stress. In a long relationship you fall into a rut where you don’t put yourself first. Now I do, and that matters.”GettyVan Gerwen has opened up on the effects of a difficult year away from the oche[/caption]As for the exercise Van Gerwen has done to help with his body transformation, he added: “I find the gym mind-numbing.“On the padel court you meet people, it’s fun and it keeps me active.“A lesson now and then, that suits me. I need to work on myself a bit, that’s only sensible.”His close friend and fellow darts player Vincent van der Voort also shared his thoughts on Van Gerwen’s recent weight loss.He admitted: “At first he lost weight quickly because of stress. He would just not eat all day, also because he didn’t feel hungry. Then it goes fast.”The pair were still able to joke about the Green Machine’s body transformation, though.2026 PDC World Championship Odds and Offer2026 PDC World Darts Championship Winner Odds:Luke Littler – 1/1Luke Humphries – 7/2 Gian van Veen – 12/1Gerwyn Price – 14/1Josh Rock – 14/1Michael van Gerwen – 16/1Nathan Aspinall – 40/1Stephen Bunting – 40/1Visit talkSPORT BET for all PDC Darts World Championship oddsSign up to talkSPORT BET and get £40 in free bets when you bet £10 on the action at the Darts – CLAIM HERETerms: 18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10 on any sports market within 7 days of sign up. Get 2x£20 Free Bets for set markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.Van der Voort remarked that his kit supplier Winmau are ‘going mad’ over the constant size changes.In response, Van Gerwen said: “I’m not going to throw in pajamas, am I? And I don’t have a six-pack either, I’m no Brad Pitt.”So far this year, he has added two more titles to his trophy cabinet with wins at the German Darts Grand Prix and World Series of Darts Finals.Van Gerwen is now aiming to add a fourth world title to that list as he begins his 19th appearance at the event.He will face Japanese qualifier Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in the first round on Thursday, December 18.It will be Van Gerwen’s first competitive match since losing to Danny Noppert in the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts on November 13.For the first time ever, talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of every match at the PDC World Darts Championship – download the talkSPORT app and go to ‘Live Games’ or visit the talkSPORT Darts YouTube channel to follow all the action from Ally Pally.