In the 2007 BDO World Darts Championship, Essers defeated the number 2 seed, Scotland's Gary Anderson, in the first round, but lost to Scotsman Paul Hanvidge in the second round. Paul Hogan beat Essers in the second round in 2006, after Essers had defeated Ted Hankey 3–1 in the first round. At one point Essers suffered from dartitis, an inability to release the dart while throwing.