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More than a million pounds in prize money; 10 major tournament wins; four perfect nine-dart finishes; the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year. Luke Littler’s 2024 was a fairy tale, but he would still have traded all that for the big one that got away.
The holy grail of darts is the World Championship at Alexandra Palace and, for a second successive New Year, Littler will play for the £500,000 chance on Friday night to become his sport’s youngest winner. Now aged 17, he would be beating a record set in 2014 by Michael van Gerwen by fully seven years.
An emphatic 6-1 semi-final win here against crowd favourite Stephen Bunting that included a ‘Big Fish’ maximum 170 finish has set up a dream final against Van Gerwen, the Dutch master, who was one of Littler’s heroes as a child.
They have played 12 times already since Littler joined the senior circuit, sharing six wins apiece to underline the fine margins between one seasoned professional who has already won everything in the game and a teenage sensation who will surely join him in the pantheon of darts greats.
Littler said that it was a dream come true to be facing Van Gerwen in the World Championship final, even if he thinks the sporting public is probably more excited than him. “We all know he is hunting for another world title – I’m hunting for my first and I’m ready,” said Littler. “It’s the stuff of dreams, every kid, every adult, wants to pick up this trophy. It has been an amazing tournament so far. I’ve got no pressure – I’m just going to enjoy it.”
But does it feel different to this time last year? “I don’t know – I’ve played better this year, won plenty of titles,” said Littler. “My life has changed massively. I can’t wait. This is why we do it. I know what went wrong last year – I lost too many legs on throw – and I’m sure I’ll fix it. If we both turn up, it’s going to be really good. Anything can happen in the World Championship final. I’ll just chill out, reset the batteries, sleep, get enough practice in and go again. I felt very confident out there.”
The country briefly seemed to stop last year for the then 16-year-old’s final against Luke Humphries and, while the 4.8 million record for the most-watched televised darts match in history is unlikely to be surpassed, triumphing this year arguably would be even more impressive.
Whereas Littler arrived at Alexandra Palace in 2023 unknown outside darts and under minimal pressure and expectation, he has risen to the status of tournament favourite over the past 12 months. Even more testing has been the exposure on just about every aspect of his life.
So much has changed but, barring the tears of relief after winning his first match, the most striking aspect of Littler’s return to Ally Pally is how much has stayed exactly the same.
A routine spent largely practising, hanging out with his parents and playing Nintendo Switch has barely shifted, as has the on-stage smiles, clenched fists and interaction with fans of an increasingly celebrity nature.
Most importantly, the sustained quality of his play has again been exceptional. A semi-final average here of almost 106 was his best of the tournament and almost identical to what he achieved in beating Rob Cross at the same stage last year.
An 11th win in 12 matches on the biggest stage also justifies Littler’s status as marginal favourite. Just as last year with Humphries, however, the remaining obstacle in Van Gerwen is formidable. The Dutchman is convinced that Littler will eventually become world champion but is content in his rare underdog status. “He’s still got years – with his capability, it will surprise me if he’s not going to do it,” said Van Gerwen. “I was the favourite two years ago [against Michael Smith] and lost. Now I’m not favourite, and maybe I’m going to win it.”
Bunting’s run to the semi-final will lift him into the world’s top five and almost certainly a place in the forthcoming Premier League but, despite averaging more than 100 himself, he was steam-rolled. Littler’s finishing – a slight weakness during the tournament – was especially deadly in romping to a 4-0 lead. Bunting did rally briefly to peg Littler back to win his only set before remaining on stage during the break to serenade the fans to Robbie Williams’s Angels.
Littler left the arena to compose himself before returning to break Bunting immediately with a further barrage of big scores that were flamboyantly sealed with a bullseye finish.
It ended what remaining resistance there had been, with Littler delivering an even more spectacular bullseye finish en route to the seventh set.
Littler was only 18 months old when he first began throwing darts at a board in a nappy. He scored his first 180 at the age of six and had a nine-dart finish at the age of 13. He believes that his transformation into one of the best players in the world was then achieved while practising relentlessly at home during the Covid pandemic. A second shot at destiny awaits and, as we have repeatedly seen over the past 12 months, Littler rarely misses.
11:15 PM GMT
More from John Part on Sky
“[Luke] Littler has got better with every match and will be hoping for the ultimate performance in the final. We are waiting for a nine-dart game and finals are good for that! We saw that a couple years ago with Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen.
“It is a big dream of Van Gerwen’s. It has been a long time he has been trying to get a fourth world title. He hears a lot of negative talk and that drives him, inspires him to be in a position to actually silence every critic.
“He has been in the game a long time and I think it would boost him for another decade. It would mean the world to him.”
11:11 PM GMT
Littler’s winning moment to take him to the final
11:09 PM GMT
Bunting heading home
His journey for this year at Ally Pally is at an end but Stephen Bunting exits with his head held high and has been hugely popular with the crowd.
11:06 PM GMT
Sky’s John Part
“It was similar to his quarter-final. A really good start to the match and he outplayed him. [Luke] Littler looks every bit favourite of the final and that will not change based on what we saw tonight.
“We can expect a wily veteran in [Michael] Van Gerwen, who is determined to get the title. This is going to be a sprint from the start line for these guys to try and assert themselves.”
11:04 PM GMT
Into the final Littler goes
11:03 PM GMT
Mark Webster on Sky
“A ruthless display from [Luke] Littler. He set his stall out from the get-go. [Stephen] Bunting has played his part in this world championship but this was just a step too far.
“Bunting will go from strength to strength.”
11:02 PM GMT
Tournament stats for two finalists
Average: Michael van Gerwen 99.75-102.13 Luke Littler
180s: 43-64
Highest checkout: 158-170
100+finishes: 10-8
Doubles success: 72/164 (44%)-78/190 (41%)
11:01 PM GMT
Littler into second straight World final
10:58 PM GMT
Tonight’s semi-final results
Chris Dobey 1-6 Michael van Gerwen
Stephen Bunting 1-6 Luke Littler
10:56 PM GMT
The thoughts of Luke Littler
10:52 PM GMT
Match stats
Average: Stephen Bunting 100.10-105.48 Luke Littler
180s: 9-13
Highest checkout: 80-170
100+finishes: 0-3
Doubles success: 12/33 (36%)-19/43 (44%)
10:51 PM GMT
Littler books place in final
Littler’s first opportunity to reach the final is a 126 checkout but has to set up a finish of just 40 to win this semi-final.
Bunting cannot check out 156, so Littler steps back up for double tops to reach the final.
He hits it first time and is into the World Championship final for a second straight year.
Littler beats Bunting 6-1 and he will play Michael van Gerwen in tomorrow night’s final.
10:48 PM GMT
Littler (5) 2-1* (1) Bunting
Amazing! Treble 20, treble 20, bullseye! A 170 checkout! Littler is on the brink of the final, just one leg away now. That is his third ton+ checkout of the match, Bunting has none.
10:46 PM GMT
Littler (5) *1-1 (1) Bunting
Bunting absolutely needs this checkout of 80. He will have one shot at double tops and gets it.
10:44 PM GMT
Littler (5) 1-0* (1) Bunting
Littler has the throw at the start of this set. He needs 76 for the first leg in the seventh set of this semi-final. Treble 20 is hit but Littler misses double eight and double four.
Bunting now also has a finish of 76 available to him. He also hits treble 20 but misses double eight twice.
Littler steps back up and needs no more invitations, landing double four. Two legs away from the final.
10:41 PM GMT
Littler claims fifth set
Littler needs this 84 finish with Bunting left with double tops. He needs bullseye for a very unlikely set win and nails it! He goes five sets to one up and is one set away from the final. Bunting had that set in his hands but somehow has lost and has a massive mountain to climb now.
10:40 PM GMT
Littler (4) 2-2* (1) Bunting
Bunting has the momentum at the moment and this game has shifted around. A 180 sets him up for a finish of 24 for the set. He misses double 12 and double six with the set there for him to win.
Littler misses his chance at double two but lands double one at the second attempt to keep the set alive.
Bunting to throw in the deciding leg.
10:37 PM GMT
Littler (4) *1-2 (1) Bunting
With Bunting needing just 68, Littler needs the 105 checkout but misses his chance at double tops.
Bunting steps up, hits treble 20 and double four to go one leg away from the set.
10:35 PM GMT
Littler (4) 1-1* (1) Bunting
With Bunting needing 70, Littler needs his 97 finish but narrowly misses out on double 12 and may not have another shot in this leg.
Bunting his treble 18 and gets double eight at the second attempt to break straight back.
10:32 PM GMT
Littler (4) *1-0 (1) Bunting
Bunting has the throw at the start of the sixth set. A strong start from both players in this leg.
Littler has the first opportunity of a finish at 90 but cannot hit double 20.
Bunting is unable to check out 160 so Littler has another shot double tops to break and gets it at the second attempt.
10:26 PM GMT
Bunting takes his first set in semi-final
Bunting is in a great position to wrap up his first set, needing 70 for it.
He hits single 18, single 12 but misses double tops for the set.
Littler requires 83 to take it to a decider but narrowly misses double 16.
Another shot at double 20, which he does not miss this time.
10:23 PM GMT
Littler (4) 1-2* (0) Bunting
Littler cannot land a 144 checkout but Bunting is lagging behind. He needs 100 to close out the leg and nails consecutive double tops to claim the leg to keep the set alive.
10:21 PM GMT
Littler (4) *0-2 (0) Bunting
Littler has looked off it in this leg until he lands a 180 but Bunting responds with his own to leave himself just 20 to go 2-0 up in this set. He only needs one dart at double ten and is one leg away from his first set in this match.
10:19 PM GMT
Littler (4) 0-1* (0) Bunting
Littler has the throw at the start of the fifth set. He throws another maximum to set up a 64 checkout. Double tops for the first leg but it is too low, which allows Bunting in.
He misses double eight but does not at double four to break Littler which is exactly what he needed.
10:13 PM GMT
Littler in cruise control
A 130 checkout stands between Littler and the fourth set but the pressure is on after a Bunting 180.
Littler cannot find the finish so a massive chance for Bunting. He needs this but narrowly misses double 13.
Littler hits treble 20 and then makes double eight to take four-set advantage.
At the break Littler leads 4-0, two sets away from the final.
10:10 PM GMT
Littler (3) *2-1 (0) Bunting
This feels like a big leg ahead of a break at the end of this set. If Littler wins it, he will be one leg on throw away from a four-set advantage.
Bunting though has a good chance at holding on throw, needing 114 for the leg. He has double 20 for the leg but narrowly misses.
Single 14 for Littler sets up double tops, which he takes.
He will now throw for a four-set lead.
10:08 PM GMT
Littler (3) 1-1* (0) Bunting
Littler hits back immediately, cruising to that leg hitting his trusted double 10.
10:06 PM GMT
Littler (3) *0-1 (0) Bunting
Bunting needs a response immediately and hits 180 number four for him in the match.
With Littler lagging behind, Bunting has a great shot at the leg needing 32 to win the leg. He hits double 16 to claim the opening set of set four.
10:04 PM GMT
Littler wins set three
A brilliant 174 gives Littler 47 to wrap up the third set. Bunting is miles behind, giving ‘The Nuke’ a great shot.
Littler lands double ten and seals the set. He is halfway towards the final.
10:03 PM GMT
Littler (2) *2-2 (0) Bunting
Bunting has a 122 finish to take it to a deciding leg, with Littler still needing 142. Bunting has bullseye to win the leg but misses.
Littler hits two treble 20s to leave double 11 for the set but narrowly misses. That would have been a brilliant way to seal the set.
That presents Bunting with the opportunity of the leg and he gets double eight to take us to a deciding leg.
10:00 PM GMT
Littler (2) 2-1* (0) Bunting
How does Littler respond to that frustrating end to that leg? A 180 followed up by a 140.
He gives himself 54 to win the leg on his own throw with Bunting lagging behind.
Littler gets single 14 and nails double tops for an 11-dart leg. One leg away from a three-set lead.
09:58 PM GMT
Littler (2) *1-1 (0) Bunting
Bunting may be on throw but Littler makes a stunning start to this leg, setting up a good chance of a break.
He needs 56 to go 2-0 up in the set. He hits single 16 to set up double tops but hits single five, meaning he is not on a finish.
Bunting requires 64 for an unlikely leg win and lands double eight first time. He would not have been expecting that leg win but he will take it.
09:56 PM GMT
Littler (2) 1-0* (0) Bunting
Littler has the throw at the start of the third set. He has 158 to win the leg, He his treble 20, treble 20 and then double 19 for a sensational checkout. Stunning darts from Littler to start the set.
09:50 PM GMT
Littler 2-0 up against Bunting
Littler needs double tops for the set. He only needs one dart at it and takes a two-set lead in this second semi-final.
09:48 PM GMT
Littler (1) *2-1 (0) Bunting
Littler needs 92 but there is pressure on him as Bunting needs just 48. Littler cannot find a finish so this is a big chance for Bunting.
Single 16 sets up double 16 but cannot do it.
Littler has double 12 but misses. Double six for the leg and he gets it. Again missed doubles in there.
Littler will be on throw for the set.
09:46 PM GMT
Littler (1) 1-1* (0) Bunting
After Bunting just misses out on a 164 checkout, Littler has a shot at 126 but, like Bunting, cannot hit bullseye.
Bunting has a shot at breaking straight back but goes bust after hitting double 16. Single five sets up double 10 but hits a single. He then misses double five.
Bunting misses double eight but gets double four to break straight back at Littler. Both players will be annoyed at themselves for missing a number of doubles there.
09:42 PM GMT
Littler (1) *1-0 (0) Bunting
Bunting has the throw at the start of the second set. The standard of this semi-final so far has been exceptional, with both players averaging considerably over 100.
Bunting has an outside chance of a 170 checkout but misses out on a bullseye finish after two treble 20s.
Littler has a chance at 140 but can only leave 40, if he gets another shot.
Bunting misses both double eight and four, leaving Littler double tops.
He misses double 20 but once again, double 10 comes up trumps for him as he breaks Bunting’s throw.
09:35 PM GMT
Littler takes the first set
Another 180 in the match already and we are up to six, this time from Littler. The quality of this game is already very high.
Littler leaves himself 87 to win the opening set but cannot hit bullseye.
Bunting requires 92 to claim an unlikely victory in this first set from two legs down but cannot find the finish.
Littler needs 46 for the set but misses double 20. He has one shot at his trusty double 10 and takes it.
Littler leads the second semi-final 1-0.
09:33 PM GMT
Littler (0) *2-2 (0) Bunting
Bunting is starting to find his feet, hitting a 180 to put himself in a good position to take us into a deciding leg in this first set.
He needs 41 with Littler lagging far behind.
He hits single nine and lands double 16 to make it 2-2 in the first set. All to play for in the deciding leg.
09:31 PM GMT
Littler (0) 2-1* (0) Bunting
A 134 sets up 152 for Littler to wrap up the set. He cannot do so with Bunting needing 103 for a break. He sets up a double 20 finish but cannot make it.
Littler cannot check out so Bunting has double 10 for a break, which he takes.
09:30 PM GMT
Littler (0) *2-0 (0) Bunting
Littler lands his first 180 of the night and backs that up with another maximum to set up 41 for a break of throw. He goes for single one, but misses double 20. One shot at double 10, which he trusts so much, and nails it.
One leg away from the first set.
09:28 PM GMT
Littler (0) 1-0* (0) Bunting
A warm embrace between the players before we get going but now it is down to action. Littler looks fairly relaxed, singing along to his own walk-on music.
Bunting has dropped just five sets on his route to this match, Littler six.
Littler begins the match on throw with a 140, a whisker away from a 180 with his first three darts of the match.
‘The Nuke’ has the first available finish of this semi-final, needing 161 and sets himself up for a 40 finish with Bunting not on a finish.
Bunting lands his first 180 of the match but Littler lands double 20 at the second attempt to take the first leg of the game.
09:22 PM GMT
Up next
We are ready for semi-final two.
Stephen Bunting is first onto the stage, walking on to ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta featuring Sia.
Luke Littler walks on to ‘Greenlight’ by Pitbull.
‘The Bullet’ against ‘The Nuke’ for a spot in the final.
Who will be joining Michael van Gerwen in tomorrow night’s final?
09:11 PM GMT
Routes to the semi-finals
Luke Littler:
Round two- beat Ryan Meikle 3-1
Round three- beat Ian White 4-1
Round four- beat Ryan Joyce 4-2
Quarter-finals- beat Nathan Aspinall 5-2
Stephen Bunting:
Round two- beat Kai Gotthardt 3-2
Round three- beat Madars Razma 4-1
Round four: beat Luke Woodhouse 4-0
Quarter-finals: beat Peter Wright 5-2
09:08 PM GMT
The thoughts of MVG
“I can be happy with my performance. Obviously I was not playing as explosively as the last game but I was efficient when I needed to be. That is what you have to be to win matches. You are always going to have ups and downs. I showed a lot of mentality today. That gives me a lot of confidence.
“To win on this stage especially in a semi-final means a lot to me in front of this crowd. My family are watching from home. The title is still far away and you have to keep telling yourself that. I love what I do, it is my passion and my life after my family. I really enjoyed tonight. I am only in the final and won nothing yet.”
09:05 PM GMT
Match stats
Average: Chris Dobey 94.77-98.84 Michael van Gerwen
180s: 5-8
Highest checkout: 170-158
100+finishes: 3-3
Doubles success: 10/25 (40%)-18/42 (43%)
09:04 PM GMT
MVG into seventh World Championship final
MVG is the first on a potential finish after a superb 180. He has 41 to book his place in the final. He hits single nine to leave double 16 for the match but misses both attempts.
Dobey cannot check out 164 so MVG has another shot at match darts.
The three-time champion makes no mistake this time on double 16 and books a spot in tomorrow night’s final.
09:01 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 1-2* (5) van Gerwen
Dobey is still alive and needs to hold on throw here. He has 158 for the leg and needs a big checkout but cannot do so.
MVG requires 82 for a break and gets double 20. He is now one leg away from a place in the final tomorrow night.
08:59 PM GMT
Dobey (1) *1-1 (5) van Gerwen
MVG has a shot at his first leg in this set, requiring 134 and is so close to it, narrowly missing double 16.
He steps back up for the same double but gets a single. He then has two attempts at double eight and gets it on the second.
08:58 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 1-0* (5) van Gerwen
Back-to-back 180s presents MVG with a shot at a nine-dart finish. The crowd are expectant but he cannot do so.
He steps back up needing 84 but misses two attempts at double 12, presenting Dobey with an outside chance of a 120 finish. He lands treble 20, single 20 and then gets double tops to claim the leg.
08:56 PM GMT
MVG takes set six
MVG is on it in this leg and needs 95 to close out the set with Dobey lagging behind.
He cannot get a finish but Dobey is not putting pressure on him here in this leg.
Double tops for the set and the Dutchman delivers.
He is now one set away from a first World Championship final since 2019.
08:54 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 2-2* (4) van Gerwen
It has been a strange performance tonight from MVG, who has not been at his best but is 4-1 up in sets.
MVG sets up a 36 finish and Dobey cannot check out 160.
MVG lands double 18 first time to set up a deciding leg in this set, where he will be on throw.
08:53 PM GMT
Dobey (1) *2-1 (4) van Gerwen
MVG needs 153, with the pressure on from Dobey. He his treble 20, treble 19 but narrowly misses double 18 for what would have been another fantastic checkout, this time of 153.
Dobey hits double tops to break MVG’s throw and go one leg away from the set.
08:50 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 1-1* (4) van Gerwen
Dobey knows he needs to win plenty of legs and quickly, registering a 180 in this leg and is miles ahead.
He needs 80 to claim the leg but cannot get it. MVG is not on a finish so Dobey returns needing just 41. He hits double 16 to make it 1-1 in set six.
08:49 PM GMT
Dobey (1) *0-1 (4) van Gerwen
MVG has the throw at the start of the sixth set.
Dobey needed that 180 and he could take advantage of horrible sloppiness in this leg from MVG, who has not been really on it since the first set.
Dobey has the first chance of a finish in this match, needing 90 to break MVG’s throw. He leaves himself double five for the break but is too high.
MVG his treble 20 twice and then nails double 19 for a fantastic 158 checkout. Dobey will be annoyed at himself for not breaking in that leg. What a set of three darts at the end of that leg from MVG!
08:42 PM GMT
MVG in control of semi-final
MVG has an outside shot of a 140 finish. He his treble 20 twice but misses double 10.
Dobey cannot check out 146 so MVG steps up with another shot at the set. He makes no mistake and takes a 4-1 set lead in this semi-final.
08:40 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 1-2* (3) van Gerwen
MVG needs 128 to go 4-1 up in the match but with little pressure as Dobey is not on a finish. He sets up a 70 finish but misses double eight twice.
Dobey is not playing with the confidence at the moment to finish 152 off so MVG has another shot at double eight but misses all three attempts.
That presents Dobey with a shot. He misses double 16 but lands double eight to stay alive in this set.
08:37 PM GMT
Dobey (1) *0-2 (3) van Gerwen
MVG has the first available finish of the leg, needing 108 to go 2-0 up in this fifth set.
He has double tops for the leg but narrowly misses.
Dobey needs this 124 finish but is not at the races at the moment.
MVG steps back up, misses double 20 but lands double 10 to go one leg away from the set.
08:35 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 0-1* (3) van Gerwen
Dobey will throw at the start of this fifth set and he has 136 finish for the leg but will not be finish on that, meaning MVG has a 126 checkout but he cannot do so.
Dobey steps back up needing 78, missing double 12 and double six.
MVG needs double 14 and only needs on invitation to break Dobey’s throw.
08:29 PM GMT
MVG goes 3-1 up in the match
MVG has a 73 finish to claim set four with Dobey lagging behind.
The three-time world champion hits double tops to go three sets to one up.
08:27 PM GMT
Dobey (1) 0-2* (2) van Gerwen
MVG lands his third 180 of the match and then gets his fourth the next time he steps up to give him a shot at a nine-darter. Much to the crowd’s disappointment, he cannot do it but leaves himself just 32 to go 2-0 up in the set.
He hits double 16 for a ten-dart leg and is now just one leg from set four.
08:26 PM GMT
Dobey (1) *0-1 (2) van Gerwen
MVG certainly has not looked the same player since the first set but has 100 for the leg on throw at the start of this fourth set.
He his treble 20 and only needs one dart at double tops for the leg. Both players now have two ton+ outs.
08:24 PM GMT
Dobey fights back in set three
MVG has his own chance of a 170 checkout but is unsuccessful. Dobey now has 150 to win the set but he cannot do so.
MVG has 74 for the leg but misses tops.
Dobey steps back up for a 108 finish and gets double 16 to claim the third set. The crowd liked that!
08:22 PM GMT
Dobey (0) *2-0 (2) van Gerwen
MVG was on fire in the first set but has not been at his best since.
Both players are left with 170.
Dobey hits treble 20, treble 20 and then nails bullseye for a 170 checkout. Ally Pally explodes! Dobey is now just one leg away from the set and will be on throw.
08:20 PM GMT
Dobey (0) 1-0* (2) van Gerwen
Dobey to throw first at the start of the third set. After Dobey cannot land a 160 finish, MVG needs just 48 to break Dobey’s throw. He hits single 16 to leave himself double 16 but cannot land either chance at it. That presents an opportunity for Dobey, who misses double 20 for the leg.
MVG steps back up for double eight but registers a no score after hitting double 16 which is what he needed last time.
Dobey gets a single 20 instead of double 20 but at the second attempt gets double 10. Sloppy from both players there.
08:12 PM GMT
MVG takes the second set
Dobey has played a good leg and has a terrific chance at breaking van Gerwen’s throw and levelling match. He cannot finish off 96 but MVG cannot check out 170.
Double tops for Dobey to take the second set but gets single 20. He misses double 10 and double five. How costly will that be?
MVG hits treble 14, misses double 16 first time but nails it second time to take a two-set lead. Plenty of emotion from MVG.
08:10 PM GMT
Dobey (0) 2-2* (1) van Gerwen
Dobey needs this leg to keep the set alive and requires just 48. He hits single 16 to leave double 16, which he takes. All to play for in the deciding leg of the set.
08:08 PM GMT
Dobey (0) *1-2 (1) van Gerwen
Dobey has the chance to break straight back with a 126 checkout but he will be under pressure as MVG will need just 40 on his next visit. Dobey has bullseye for the leg once more but misses again.
MVG needs double tops and makes no mistake. He is now one leg away from the second set. Even if he cannot break Dobey’s throw he will still have a chance on throw to go two sets up in the match.
08:06 PM GMT
Dobey (0) 1-1* (1) van Gerwen
Dobey needs 70 to claim the second leg of this set but misses bullseye, giving MVG the shot at an 84 checkout which he takes of advantage of by nailing double 12 as he breaks straight back.
08:04 PM GMT
Dobey (0) *1-0 (1) van Gerwen
MVG has the throw at the start of this second set having raced to the first set in around six minutes! It is a sloppy leg from MVG and Dobey is in a great position to break throw. His first finish is 93 with MVG miles off it. He narrowly misses double 16 but will be back for another shot at a break of throw. He hits double 16 on his return and exactly the response he was after.
07:58 PM GMT
MVG takes first set
MVG is on throw, ready to close out the first set. He is the first on a finish, needing 75 for the set. Double tops for the first set and he nails it to go 1-0 up in the match.
07:56 PM GMT
Dobey (0) 1-2* (0) van Gerwen
Dobey hits his first maximum of the night and boy did he need that. That was the 850th 180 of the tournament. He backs that up with a 140 to set up 84 to hit back at MVG.
He has one shot at double eight but just misses. MVG is miles back so Dobey has another shot at the finish. It is double four to win his first leg of the match and he takes it.
07:54 PM GMT
Dobey (0) *0-2 (0) van Gerwen
Another MVG 180 already. Two maximums in two legs. With Dobey lagging behind, he needs 100 and hits double tops first time to take a commanding 2-0 lead in this first set.
07:53 PM GMT
Dobey (0) 0-1* (0) van Gerwen
Dobey has the honour of the first throw in this semi-final and he starts with a nervy 65. MVG, obviously, begins with a 180! First of probably many tonight. He looks in the zone already.
He sets himself up for an 88 finish but the pressure is on as Dobey needs just 62. MVG narrowly misses a bullseye, giving Dobey the chance of the leg. But he cannot land double 20.
MVG has two shots at double eight and gets it second time to break Dobey’s throw straight away.
07:49 PM GMT
Walk-ons
We are ready for action in the first semi-final of the night.
Chris Dobey is first up onto the stage. His walk-on music; ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ from two fellow Geordies, PJ and Duncan (aka Ant and Dec).
Michael van Gerwen, walking on to ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes, follows him onto the stage
Here we go in semi number one. We are set for a thrilling night at Ally Pally.
07:44 PM GMT
Tournament stats
Of the four remaining players, Luke Littler has the highest tournament average at just over 101. Michael van Gerwen also averages over 100. MVG has the highest doubles success on 44%, with his opponent tonight Chris Dobey the lowest down at 34%. Littler has the most 180s with a whopping 51, 15 more than the next best which is Dobey.
07:43 PM GMT
Sky’s John Part
“Aside from Luke Littler, whose story is bigger than the rest, they have all been around at least a decade.
“For MVG, he is looking to become a four-time champion. For Chris [Dobey] and Stephen [Bunting], first time PDC world champions, which would mean the world to them.
“We can expect the most from the underdogs and will test the two favourites. I expect each match to be nine or 10 sets at least.”
07:39 PM GMT
Mark Webster on Sky
“They have all done really well to get to this stage. There are clear outsiders in these semi-finals. This is the round. You are so close to the main event.
“For those players, they have to get onto the stage and leave everything out there.”
07:35 PM GMT
Action coming very soon
We are around 15 minutes away from the first semi-final as three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey. Van Gerwen is aiming to reach his seventh final whilst this is Dobey’s first semi-final appearance.
07:30 PM GMT
Atmosphere building
07:22 PM GMT
Dartitis
As Nathan Aspinall tried in vain on New Year’s Day to halt the darts juggernaut that is Luke Littler, a different battle was again on show. As he repeatedly has throughout the World Darts Championship, it was noticeable that Aspinall paused before throwing or even sometimes abandoned the attempt completely before regrouping and going again.
It happened even in the third set, when both players were flirting with a nine-darter and, while Aspinall was also playing up to the crowd, it has been clear throughout the tournament that he is still trying to overcome an affliction known as “dartitis”.
The world No 12 first noticed the issue while playing in the Premier League of Darts in Brighton in 2023 and ha been using a psychologist, and now a hypnotherapist in an attempt to alleviate the issue.
Our chief sports reporter Jeremy Wilson has the full story.
07:15 PM GMT
Walk-on music
One of the best aspects of the night is the players’ entrances and we will have some great ones tonight:
Stephen Bunting- ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta featuring Sia
Luke Littler- ‘Greenlight’ by Pitbull
Michael van Gerwen- ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes
Chris Dobey- ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ by PJ and Duncan
07:10 PM GMT
Routes to the semi-finals
Michael van Gerwen:
Round two- beat James Hurrell 3-0
Round three- beat Brendan Dolan 4-2
Round four- beat Jeffrey de Graaf 4-2
Quarter-finals- beat Callan Rydz 5-3
Chris Dobey:
Round two- beat Alexander Merkx 3-1
Round three- beat Josh Rock 4-2
Round four- beat Kevin Doets 4-3
Quarter-finals- beat Gerwyn Price 5-3
07:02 PM GMT
Littler ‘fat-shamed’ on Good Morning Britain
ITV presenter Adil Ray has been accused of fat-shaming teenage darts sensation Luke Littler on Good Morning Britain.
Ray, a former BBC employee who also works as a radio broadcaster, expressed his concern about Littler’s health because of his diet and lifestyle, during a debate on Thursday morning’s show.
Speaking to co-presenter Kate Garraway about the 17-year-old, who plays for a place in a second consecutive World Darts Championship final on Thursday night, Ray claimed Littler was “turning into the look of a darts player”.
For more on this story, click here.
06:57 PM GMT
Quarter-final results last night
Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey (15) 5-3 Gerwyn Price (10)
Michael van Gerwen (3) 5-3 Callan Rydz
Evening Session
Peter Wright (17) 2-5 Stephen Bunting (8)
Luke Littler (4) 5-2 Nathan Aspinall (12)
06:53 PM GMT
Semi-final draw (first to six sets):
SF one: Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey
SF two: Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting
06:48 PM GMT
Final in sight for final four
Semi-final night is upon us at Alexandra Palace as the World Darts Championship reaches the final four stage. Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey in the first semi-final of the night. Van Gerwen beat Callam Rydz 5-3 in the quarter-finals last night to book his spot in the semis whilst Dobey overcame Gerwyn Price 5-3 to earn a spot in the last four.
Having won this title on three occasions and ahead of what will be his ninth World Championship semi-final, van Gerwen believes his experience will come in handy in these latter stages.
“It is not about the title, it is about making a sacrifice,” said Van Gerwen. “You have to make sacrifices all year and wherever is on your path, whatever day it is, if it is Easter, whatever it is, the 14th, Valentine, Christmas, I do not care about that. My wife knows, my family know it.
“You have to make the sacrifice if you want to be the best in what you do. Of course, I did not always show it last year, but the will is there and I think that is the most important thing.”
Tonight is the first time Dobey has reached the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace, having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in the previous two tournaments.
Then 17-year-old Luke Littler plays Stephen Bunting. Littler beat Nathan Aspinall 5-2 after Bunting had been victorious 5-2 over Peter Wright. Littler is aiming to go one step better than he did last year and is the favourite to win the second semi-final. Ahead of his contest against Bunting, he believes his game is in good shape.
“Anything can happen on the day, it is the semi-finals of the World Championship,” Littler said. “Obviously Michael [van Gerwen] has been there numerous times, Chris [Dobey] is in his first, I am in my second, and I know [Stephen] Bunting I think is in his first or second, so it is going to be a good night.
“I felt the best I have in this tournament so far, so hopefully I can regroup and come back again and it can be the same feeling. We all know the expectation and it is very different from last year, but tonight I felt the greatest and hopefully I can regroup and feel like I did on that stage tomorrow [Thursday].
“I would probably only say I felt different in the Ryan Meikle game, and then came through against Ian White, obviously the 3-1 lead was crucial against Ian, and then the tough test against Ryan, I think that is what I needed, and then tonight I just settled.”
Strap yourselves in for a thrilling night from Alexandra Palace.
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