Smith made three quarter final showing in major tournaments in 2003, in the Desert Classic, World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix but lost in the second round of the 2004 World Championship. Another quarter final in the Desert Classic in 2004 was followed up by a spell of poor form as Smith began battling personal problems while going through a divorce. Though he reached the quarter finals of the World Matchplay and the semi finals of the World Grand Prix in 2005, poor performances in floor events saw Smith slide down the rankings. Smith reached the second round in the 2006 PDC World Darts Championship. It would begin a complete loss of form for Smith where poor performances including a second round exit from the 2006 UK Open forced him to qualify for major tournaments. He qualified for the 2006 Las Vegas Desert Classic, losing in the first round to Dennis Priestley. He then suffered a first round defeat in the World Matchplay and failed to qualify for the World Grand Prix and then failed to qualify for the World Championship for the first time.