Billy Jackson relieved to have weight of the bowls world taken off him

Deposed world indoor bowls champion Billy Jackson admitted it was a "relief" to lose his crown as the planet's most elite player – but the Lincoln competitor was still disappointed by his shock exit yesterday.

Jackson was heavy favourite to defeat Canada's Hirendra Bhartu in the second round of the world championships at Hopton-On-Sea, Norfolk, but, following two drawn sets of 7-7 and 8-8, he was defeated 2-1 in the decider.

The number one seed is now contemplating a quieter life as an ex-champion – and says that feeling is not necessarily entirely a bad thing.

"Just before I left (Hopton) yesterday I rang my wife Rachel and told her it seems to be a bit of a relief that I'm no longer world champion," said Jackson, who lost out in the pairs final with partner David Gourlay, to Ian Bond and Andy Thomson, on Sunday.

"Even playing games at club and county level, I was the one 'getting shot at' all the time, if you like.

"Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed it, but when I played Hirendra yesterday he was the underdog so the crowd got behind him.

"I got applause, but when he got applause it was three to four times more. I'm not used to that. But that seems to be the English culture, to get behind the underdog.

"In fairness to Hirendra he played some very good bowls."

For more on this story see today's Lincolnshire Echo.