Raymond van Barneveld vowed he would "never forgive" himself after bowing out of his final PDC World Championship with a first-round defeat.
The popular Dutchman has been a world champion five times - tasting success four times in the BDO ranks before landing the 2007 PDC title with a stunning triumph against Phil Taylor.
He was hoping to roll back the years at London's Alexandra Palace, in his final tilt at glory.
But the dream unravelled against American Darin Young as 52-year-old Van Barneveld slid to a 3-1 defeat at his farewell tournament.
"I lost first round in my disaster year. I will never forgive myself. Never, ever," said a crestfallen Van Barneveld.
In a terse interview with Sky Sports, his dismay was obvious throughout and he admitted: "I played really bad tonight."
When told of the huge support for him, Van Barneveld - affectionately known to darts fans as 'Barney' - added: "I was surprised. Nothing more. Darin played really good tonight, all credit to him."
And when reminded he had achieved great things in his darts career, the former king of the oche said: "Did I?"
The end of an era. pic.twitter.com/iyOKFmccQf
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 14, 2019
Van Barneveld was not the only major figure to bow out on Saturday, with the champion of two years ago, Rob Cross, also beaten.
Cross succumbed in the second round, losing 3-0 to Belgian Kim Huybrechts.