PDC World Darts Championship LIVE: Results, scores and updates from Alexandra Palace

Peter Wright is the latest seeded player to exit early after James Wade lost earlier in the week

World Darts Championship: Michael Smith says he doesn’t want to be ‘former world champion’

Two-time winner Peter Wright crashed out of the World Darts Championship in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to Jim Williams at Alexandra Palace.

Williams, a BDO runner-up in 2020, was also far from his best in a poor quality clash, admitting afterwards: “I was fighting myself all the way and it’s a little bit frustrating – but hopefully we’ll get there.”

16-year-old Luke Littler marked his World Championship debut with a blistering 3-0 win over experienced Dutchman Christian Kist.

Littler showed no nerves as he hit seven 180s and finished with an extraordinary average of 110 to mark himself out as a genuine contender for the crown.

Also in the Wednesday evening session, Richard Veenstra eased past Ben Robb 3-0 while Ryan Joyce was a 3-1 winner over Alex Spellman.

In the afternoon, 16th seed Ross Smith eased to a 3-1 victory over Niels Zonneveld before being stung by a wasp on stage.

Meanwhile Poland’s Cork-based Radek Szaganski overcame Finland’s Marko Kantele 3-2 with a final set 142 checkout helping him through to a second-round clash with five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.

Owen Bates lost a two-set lead as Ireland’s Steve Lennon fought back to win 3-2. Lennon’s compatriot William O’Connor had a far more comfortable time with a 3-0 victory over Bhav Patel.

Relive the action below plus find the latest tips and offers right here:

PDC World Darts Championship live

• RESULT: Radek Szaganski 3-2 Marko Kantele
• RESULT: Steve Lennon 3-2 Owen Bates
• RESULT: William O’Connor 3-0 Bhav Patel
• RESULT: Ross Smith 3-1 Niels Zonneveld

[22 December 2023 12:20 · Mike Jones]

Michael van Gerwen hits 167 in opening World Championship win

Michael van Gerwen began his bid for a third World Championship title by easing into the third round.

The Dutchman has not won the biggest tournament in darts since 2019 and is ready to end that drought, opening his campaign with a 3-0 win over Keane Barry.

The highlight was an impressive 167 checkout, finishing with an average of 98.17 at Alexandra Palace.

[22 December 2023 12:15 · Mike Jones]

Unbeelievable! Ross Smith stung by wasp on stage during World Darts Championship

Ross Smith was stung by a wasp on stage at the World Darts Championship after avoiding second-round pain to Niels Zonneveld.

Number 16 seed Smith eased to a 3-1 victory over Zonneveld before running into problems at Alexandra Palace.

“There’s the wasp,” Smith said in his post-match Sky Sports interview as he noticed the insect. The Englishman then recoiled in pain and said: “He’s just stung me like a good one.”

[22 December 2023 12:10 · Mike Jones]

Peter Wright crashes out of World Darts Championship while dressed as the Grinch

Two-time winner Peter Wright crashed out of the World Darts Championship in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to Jim Williams at Alexandra Palace.

The 53-year-old, who was dressed as the Grinch complete with lime-green hair, ensured a miserable Christmas after posting a dismal three-dart average of less than 84.

Williams, a BDO runner-up in 2020, was also far from his best in a poor quality clash, admitting afterwards: “I was fighting myself all the way and it’s a little bit frustrating – but hopefully we’ll get there.”

[22 December 2023 12:05 · Mike Jones]

Meet Luke Littler – the 16-year-old darts prodigy lighting up the World Championship

Teenager Luke Littler continued his dream PDC World Championship debut by defeating Andrew Gilding to reach the third round.

The 16-year-old was the toast of Alexandra Palace after beating Christian Kist on Wednesday and he was at it again 24 hours later with a 3-1 success against 20th seed Gilding.

The UK Open champion is 37 years older than Littler but it was the youngster showing the greater composure in the first two sets, with Gilding twice missing a pair of darts at double in the second.

Littler suffered a blip in the third but Gilding was unable to take his opportunities and the teenager clinched a spot in the last 32 against Matt Campbell.

[22 December 2023 12:00 · Mike Jones]

Afternoon Session starts at 12.30pm

Round Two: Brendan Dolan v Mickey Mansell

Round Two: Jose de Sousa v Jeffrey de Graaf

Round Two: Krzysztof Ratajski v Jamie Hughes

Round Two: Dirk van Duijvenbode v Boris Krcmar

[22 December 2023 11:15 · Mike Jones]

PDC World Darts Championship

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Friday’s afternoon session from the PDC World Darts Championship.

There are four matches going ahead at the Ally Pally as Brendan Dolan takes on Mickey Mansell before Jose de Sousa plays Jeffrey de Graaf. Krzysztof Ratajski will then test himself against Jamie Hughes before the headline match has Dirk van Duijvenbode facing Boris Krcmar.

All eight players are hoping to emulate 16-year-old Luke Littler and reach the third round. The teenager defeated Andrew Gilding last night on his World Championship debut.

We’ll have the latest updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us.