A BEARDED Aussie's resemblance to Jesus has seen him ejected from a UK darts tournament for the second year running.

And now the greatest player in the sport has made a plea for him to be allowed to watch the upcoming PDC World Championships without being removed by security.

Mild-mannered Nathan Grindal was enjoying the clash between Phil Taylor and Kim Huybrechts at the Cash Converter Players Championship last year when some of the audience spotted his likeness to the son of God.

As rowdy chants of "Jesus" quickly spread through the crowd packed into Butlins at Minehead in the UK, security staff were called and Mr Grindal was ejected for fear he was ruining the concentration of ex-world champ Taylor and his Belgian rival.

But this year, Mr Grindal was not even allowed in - despite spending 450 pounds ($810) on the return trip.

He said he went to collect his tickets when "two big beef-head security guards, including the head of security, dragged me into the office where they told me they wouldn't let me watch the darts this year.

"I felt quite intimidated. The head of security told me they would not be letting me into the tournament, because they did not want a repeat of last year.

"It's not my fault I look like Jesus. I'm not trying to look like Jesus, I'm not even religious - I'm just an average Joe. I haven't done anything wrong."

Now 53-year-old world champion Taylor - who jokingly said he would "crucify" Grindal if he got his hands on him after the initial incident last year, has stepped in with a seasonal truce.

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"Every year we get people dressed as Superman, Spiderman, Thunderbirds and nuns coming to the world championship, and the punters in fancy dress add to the fantastic atmosphere of the occasion," he told mirror.co.uk.

"I see no reason why we should not let a bloke who looks like Jesus enjoy the spectacle - as long as he observes the rules like everybody else.

"If Clark Kent, Peter Parker, Virgil Tracy or Mother Teresa misbehaved, they would be thrown out, and the same applies to 'Jesus'.

"The players love performing in front of big crowds because it makes us feel like rock stars, but it's important that we are not distracted by sideshows among the audience.

"At the end of the day, we are playing for big prizemoney up on that stage. It's our workplace and it's our livelihood at stake, so all we ask is that fans allow us to produce our best form."

Grindal, who lives in Abingdon, Oxfordshire after moving to the UK from Australia seven years ago, has been to at least six darts events without incident since he was removed by six bouncers from last year's tournament.

But at this year's Players Championship, he was told to pack his bags and be gone by 2pm.

"I booked the tickets back in February in my own name and nobody said there was a problem, and I even managed to get some VIP tickets sorted," he said.

"We checked in, had a couple of beers with our breakfast, and then decided to go and collect the VIP tickets.

"When I got there a lady at the counter asked if I was the Jesus bloke who came to the darts.

"She told me she was there last year, and thought it was hilarious, especially when a bloke in a wheelchair stood up and walked in front of me.

"Up until this point, nobody had recognised me at all."

Mr Grindal, who has survived skin cancer twice, started growing his beard last year and keeps it long to hide scars.

He was mobbed by fans as he left last year's match, desperate for a picture with him.

At the time he said: "I signed a few pieces of paper - but in my real name, not Jesus.

"In his post-match interview, Phil Taylor said something like "if I ever see Jesus again, I'll crucify him myself". Now that's just hurtful.

"I'm being discriminated against because I look like the son of God. It's really distressing."