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22:06 GMT - We're wrapping up another year at Alexandra Palace. Thanks for following along with us, congratulations to Luke Littler, and see you for the Premier League!
Take care!
22:05 GMT - Luke Littler defended his world champion status after dismantling Gian van Veen 7-1 at Alexandra Palace on Saturday to become a back-to-back PDC World Darts Championship winner and underline his growing grip on the sport's biggest stage.
Read our report: Luke Littler becomes back-to-back world champion after thrashing Gian van Veen
21:57 GMT - Littler paid tribute to Anthony Joshua and his opponent after clinching the title.
"It feels amazing," Littler told Sky Sports.
"First of all, thanks to John McDonald and John Noble - what a fantastic career they have had. In my first year, Russ Bray retired; now these two legends! I'm a bit late to the party!
"I've been wanting to say this. Everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his guy and his team and his friends.
"Just like AJ said: the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice!"
"I started playing better from the second set. The first set, I wasn't happy going into the break, but I had to kick on from there.
"I said to myself, 'give it time, you will find it'. I started off from the left of the oche and moved over to the right. It all came to plan.
"Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy. Every set he was there and behind me. I had to take my chances.
"This win has increased that gap from Luke Humphries and I'm in the clear for No 1."
21:44 GMT - Luke Littler pockets the biggest darts prize ever of £1 million. Nice!
A stunning match average of 106 and a tournament average just a smidgen shy of 104. What a player.
21:34 GMT - LITTLER 7-1 VAN VEEN
Littler goes back-to-back!
Littler asserted his authority early, firing in two 180s before wrapping up the opening leg with a composed 72 checkout to take control over Van Veen.
The Dutchman rallied briefly, scoring heavily to draw level at 1-1 in the set, leaving Littler still needing 160.
But any momentum was swiftly extinguished. Littler responded ruthlessly, breaking Van Veen’s resistance to edge back in front at 2-1 and reassert his dominance.
There was no hint of a wobble in the final leg, as Littler sealed victory in style with a clinical 147 finish to close out the match 3-1.
21:24 GMT - LITTLER 6-1 VAN VEEN
Another whitewash set for Littler, who's one away from retaining his title.
Littler stacks two-treble visits and keeps Van Veen pinned behind the pace. A rare loose visit still leaves tops after 12, and Littler returns to finish on double 10 with his final dart.
The chants grow louder as the pressure builds. Van Veen looks for a lifeline on 146 but grazes double 16 with his last dart. Littler steps straight in and tidies up 64 on tops. Eight legs run his way, and the gap widens again.
Van Veen briefly ignites the room. Back-to-back 180s light up Ally Pally and put a nine-darter on, but the seventh dart drifts into treble five. The moment passes. Littler closes the gap with a composed two-treble visit, then waits as Van Veen wastes two rare darts at double.
Littler does not miss. He returns, checks out 54 on tops, and takes the set without fuss.
21:18 GMT - LITTLER 5-1 VAN VEEN
Another 3-0 set for Littler.
Littler opens the sixth set in frightening fashion. Six perfect darts flow from his hand, treble 20 after treble 20, before the seventh strays. The crowd reacts, but Van Veen cannot fully cash in. Both players miss chances at the outer ring, and Littler steadies to return and close the leg on tops.
Littler pours in two more 180s and sits on 81 after nine darts. Van Veen has no answer. Littler breaks again, this time on double 5, and the match tilts further away from the Dutchman.
Littler then controls the pace with the darts, moves smoothly through the leg, and leaves 60 after 12. A small spot of blood appears on the board near double five, but it does nothing to slow him. He steps in, finishes cleanly in two darts, and shuts the door.
A change of board between sets now due to the blood, apparently from a graze on Van Geen's hand.
21:08 GMT - LITTLER 4-1 VAN VEEN
The wasp is back with a vengeance, and it's four sets on the spin for Littler.
Littler lines up 122 but misses the bull, and Van Veen punishes ruthlessly. He goes tops, tops to take out 137, his seventh ton-plus finish of the match. Even when he looks frustrated, his finishing stays lethal.
The next leg unravels into chaos as the Ally Pally wasp returns. Littler backs away, swats, laughs it off, then loses his rhythm with a trebleless visit. Van Veen cannot capitalise on 136, and Littler regains control, returning to tidy up 54 on tops. Despite the distraction - perhaps it's his deodorant he got for Christmas - Littler holds.
Van Veen senses the danger but cannot apply enough pressure. He lands a two-treble visit, yet Littler stays ahead, steps in, and pins tops to break. Van Veen's body language tells the story. Littler now throws for the set.
The set ends messily but decisively. Littler misses a set dart on tops while chasing another ton-plus checkout. Van Veen tries to repeat his earlier tops-tops magic but falls short. Littler returns, burns darts at double 10, then adjusts and sinks double 5 to close it out.
A 107.95 set average and 107 for the match. Littler is on one!
20:56 GMT - LITTLER 3-1 VAN VEEN
Littler is hitting his stride at Ally Pally!
Van Veen starts under pressure and cannot find the Big Fish. That opens the door. Littler returns on 66 and calmly pins tops to take the opening leg. He looks settled, in rhythm, in control.
The second leg follows the same pattern. Littler opens with a 180 and immediately applies pressure. He misses 120, but it does not matter. He comes back on 24 and finishes on double 12 for the break. The gap widens.
Now throwing for the set, Littler keeps the standard high. A 133 leaves him 138. He drifts just low of double 12 for the ton-plus finish, but stays composed. He returns, takes out 12, and sinks double 6 to close the set.
Six legs in a row. Littler is dictating everything.
20:51 GMT - LITTLER 2-1 VAN VEEN
There is venom in the darts of both players, but none more so than in The Nuke's, who reels in the big fish for the set!
Van Veen holds first after the break. Littler opens with four treble 20s before drifting into single 20, but Van Veen answers with a 180 and a crisp 132. He leaves 40 and finishes cleanly on tops.
Littler responds. He opens with 140, Van Veen replies with 134. Both wobble with matching 59s, but Littler recovers first, taking out 100 to leave 112. He returns and pins tops for a solid hold.
In the third, Van Veen lands a timely maximum, but Littler hits back at the right moment and parks himself on 81. Van Veen goes close on 126, just missing the bullseye. Littler steps in and buries double 12 for a crucial break of throw.
With the darts for the set, Littler takes control immediately. He posts 100, then 97, and leaves 170. He does not need a second visit. Treble 20, treble 20, bullseye: here little fishy!
20:41 GMT - LITTLER 1-1 VAN VEEN
No fear whatsoever from Van Veen, but it's sensational from Littler to level the scores.
Van Veen strikes first in the set, despite Littler holding the darts. A 180 leaves 145, and Van Veen does not hesitate, taking out 127 to break immediately.
Littler opens the next leg with 174, follows it with 135 and applies heavy pressure. Van Veen needs 127 again, and this time misses double 8. Littler steps in and pins double 10 to break straight back.
Littler now has to hold to stay alive. He works his way to 16 with Van Veen back on 206 and calmly pins double 8. Van Veen still has the darts for the set.
Littler explodes into the next leg with a 180, then adds two more treble 20s before drifting into treble 1. Van Veen reaches a finish first but misses double 8 on 127. Littler pounces again, pins double 10, and suddenly throws for the set.
Littler starts the decider well but the pace slows as both feel the weight of the moment. Littler lands on 116 and does not blink, taking out tops to seal the set.
Littler's average is up to over 105 now, while GVV's has dipped a little below a ton after the second set.
20:33 GMT - It's a 102.13 average in the set for Littler, but he's taken an L to kick the final off.
20:26 GMT - LITTLER 0-1 VAN VEEN
First blood to the Dutchman!
Van Veen has the darts and settles quickly. Back-to-back 140s, then 105, leave 116. He goes tops for a 12-darter and holds cleanly.
Littler responds. Van Veen keeps pace in the leg, but Littler gets a look at 161 and just misses the bull. He returns on 25 and tidies up on double 10. All square.
Van Veen drops a costly 48, and Littler pounces, working through 129 before setting up 40. He pins tops to break and suddenly throws for the set.
Van Veen responds with a superb 162 leaves 146, then 89 gives him a look at the bull, but it just misses. Littler takes an odd route on 95 and misses double 5. Van Veen steps in and pins double 8 to break back. He now has the darts.
The decider is chaos. Littler lands the first 180 of the match. Van Veen answers by lining up 170. Two treble 20s go in, the bull lands in the green. Littler cannot take out 81. Van Veen misses double 8. Littler misses two darts at double 10. Finally, Van Veen returns and pins double 4.
20:13 GMT - The players are en route!
19:58 GMT - Littler has averaged 103.44 for the tournament, compared to Van Veen's 102.16. Littler just edges the doubles, nailing 55 per cent (80/146) while Van Veen has hit 51 per cent (83/162).
19:50 GMT - In case you needed catching up, here's a recap from last night's thrilling semi-finals.
Luke Littler romped into his third consecutive PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace on Friday night, confidently dispatching an in-form Ryan Searle 6-1 to set up a blockbuster showdown with Gian van Veen, who came through a barnstorming semi-final 6-3 against the legendary Gary Anderson.
Read more: Luke Littler to clash with Gian van Veen in World Darts Championship final
19:46 GMT - Gian van Veen will overtake Luke Humphries and head into second in the world rankings if he defeats Littler this evening.
The 23-year-old is guaranteed the third spot regardless.
19:42 GMT - Van Veen has had his fair share of success against the world number one, winning three of their last five matches.
19:40 GMT - GVV has won the bull backstage!
A reminder it's first to seven sets this evening.
19:38 GMT - Luke Littler is aiming to become the first player to defend a world title since Gary Anderson a decade ago.
Dutch 10th seed Van Veen has won the European Championship and World Youth Championship this year, and will fancy his first world title here tonight.
19:15 GMT - Welcome back!
It's time for the final, as Luke Littler looks to go back-to-back against Gian van Veen for the PDC World Darts Championship final.
We'll be underway around 20:15 GMT.
Friday, January 2nd
23:04 GMT - That's a wrap tonight, we'll be back here tomorrow for the grand finale!
Thanks for joining us.
23:03 GMT - Luke Littler romped into his third consecutive PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace on Friday night, confidently dispatching an in-form Ryan Searle 6-1 to set up a blockbuster showdown with Gian van Veen, who came through a barnstorming semi-final 6-3 against the legendary Gary Anderson.
Read more: Luke Littler to clash with Gian van Veen in World Darts Championship final
23:01 GMT - "To win this kind of game, Gary threw everything at me," Van Veen told Sky Sports.
"His finishing and scoring was great.
"I withstood it. Of course, the crowd was a bit against me, but it's fair play because Gary is such a fantastic human being, such a fantastic darts player. I'm so happy!"
Both players registered three ton-plus finishes and a 170 each in an instant Ally Pally classic.
22:48 GMT - RESULT: VAN VEEN 6-3 ANDERSON
Van Veen is into the final!
Anderson misses three darts at double 16, and Van Veen takes full advantage, pinning double 10 to edge further clear. The leg count swings his way and the finish line is in sight.
Anderson responds with urgency. He opens the next leg with a maximum and leaves 170. He goes for the bull, wires it, then regroups and cleans up on double 4 to level the set. The fight is still alive.
Van Veen then lights the place up. He fires in two maximums in the leg but cannot convert, missing two darts at a double. Anderson senses blood and produces something special, checking out 121 with 20, treble 17, bullseye to break. Experience drags him back into the set.
Momentum swings again. Van Veen applies relentless pressure with two 140s and a 134. Anderson gets one dart at the bull to win the set and misses. Van Veen steps in and calmly pins double 8 to force a deciding leg.
Van Veen unloads 134, 140, then a brilliant 135 to leave 32. Anderson can only watch. Van Veen returns, sinks double 16, and seals it.
Gian van Veen reaches the World Championship final for the first time!
22:37 GMT - VAN VEEN 5-3 ANDERSON
The Flying Scotsmanis going down fighting, that's for sure.
Van Veen breaks immediately. He goes close to the bull, misses, then returns to tidy up 25 in two darts. It is a clean break and the crowd senses the swing.
Anderson tries to bite back. He fires 140 against the throw and gets a look at 106, but wires double 16. Van Veen steps in and calmly mops up 52 on double 16 to move 2-0 clear.
Anderson responds on his own throw. He lands his 13th maximum and threatens a 161 finish, but cannot convert, and keeps his nerve and cleans up 25 on double 8 to stay alive.
Van Veen slams in his ninth maximum. Anderson is left staring at 170 but cannot land the Big Fish, wiring tops for 97. He tries a double-double route and misses. Van Veen then blinks, missing four darts at a double, and Anderson pounces at last, pinning double 18.
Anderson has the darts in the decider, but Van Veen takes control immediately with a superb maximum followed by 140. He leaves 98 after nine darts, stays composed, and returns to finish 59 on tops.
Van Veen steals the set 3-2 and moves 5-3 ahead. A final against Luke Littler edges into view.
22:22 GMT - VAN VEEN 4-3 ANDERSON
Van Veen takes the opening leg. He stays composed, pins double 16, and Anderson can only laugh in the background.
Anderson answers immediately. Another 180 from the 55-year-old steadies him, and he cleans up on double 4 to level. He looks relieved to get a foothold.
Van Veen presses again. He lands his seventh maximum, but Anderson refuses to back off, firing his own maximum and scoring 127 to leave 54. The chance is there, but Anderson misses two darts at double top. Van Veen holds on double 20.
Anderson hammers in 180 and 134, sets up tops, then misses three darts at doubles. Van Veen cannot capitalise, missing two at double 8, and Anderson survives by pinning double 1. It goes to a decider.
Anderson slips with a loose 56, handing Van Veen the opening. Anderson responds immediately with a brilliant 165 to leave tops, returns under pressure, and sinks double top.
Anderson takes the set 3-2, rolling back the years and dragging himself firmly back into the semi-final.
Van Veen still averages 104.2 and hits 64 per cent of his doubles. Anderson averages 106.1, landing 52 per cent. Tight margins.
22:14 GMT - VAN VEEN 4-2 ANDERSON
Anderson bites back!
Anderson starts the set hard, opening with a maximum and asks the question immediately. The standard is absurd already, with multiple ton-plus finishes still fresh in the memory, and he closes the leg in 11 darts by tidying up 87 in two darts.
Van Veen steadies in the second leg. He trades power with Anderson, survives a wobble, leaves himself a finish, misses a dart at double 16, then returns to pin double 8.
Anderson responds like only he can. Another maximum, then 115, then clean work to leave 48. He goes straight in on double top. Clinical.
The pressure ramps again. Anderson lands his 15th 180 of the match, follows it with 140, and blows the leg apart. Van Veen cannot apply any pressure.
Anderson finishes it emphatically. He cleans up 81 on the bullseye to take the set 3–1, cutting the deficit and keeping the semi-final alive.
22:07 GMT - Both players are averaging 105 here, Anderson hasn't done much wrong, but he finds himself 4-1 down to a methodical Van Veen.
22:03 GMT - VAN VEEN 4-1 ANDERSON
Unreal! Two 170 finishes! Van Veen pulls two clear after a thrilling set.
Anderson explodes into the set with a statement break. A maximum, then 140, then 141, leaving 40 after nine darts, and he goes straight in on double top for a 10-darter.
He backs it up in outrageous style. From 170, he goes treble 20, treble 20, bullseye - the big fish!
Van Veen responds immediately. He matches the intensity, fires in heavy scoring, and checks out 90 via treble 18 and double 18 for an 11-darter. The pace does not dip.
Anderson looks set to wrestle control again. He is first to a finish on 121 and leaves 64. But Van Veen is staring at 170. Treble 20. Treble 20. Bullseye. Another Big Fish. A huge break of throw, and now Van Veen throws for the set.
The final leg is pure chaos. Van Veen misses double 8 twice for a 127 checkout. Anderson cannot capitalise on 136. Van Veen steps back in, switches calmly, and pins double 4.
Anderson averages 123 for the set and still loses it. Van Veen finds the break when it matters most. That is elite darts.
21:51 GMT - VAN VEEN 3-1 ANDERSON
The new Dutch number one is putting on a show!
Anderson responds early in the fourth set and shows his class immediately. He gets a look at 144 and takes it cleanly, finding treble 20, treble 12 and double 12. A simple hold of throw, but the biggest checkout of the match so far.
Van Veen answers without hesitation. He cannot convert 170, but he does not rush. He comes back on 76 and executes treble 20 into double 8 with authority.
The third leg swings back Anderson's way. A fourth maximum gets him down to 87 after nine, but a miscount creeps in and costs him ideal positioning. Van Veen cannot punish on 164, and Anderson tidies up 39, going seven and double 16 to hold.
Van Veen then forces the set to a decider. From 161 he stays composed, reduces it to 32, and pins double 16 at the first time of asking with Anderson not on a finish.
The deciding leg defines the set. Van Veen explodes out of the blocks with a maximum, then follows it with 177. The nine-darter is briefly alive before the seventh dart drifts, but the damage is done. Anderson needs 132 to survive. He cannot find it.
Van Veen steps back in, splits 15, and finishes on double 16 to steal the set in 11 darts.
21:44 GMT - VAN VEEN 2-1 ANDERSON
Van Veen works his way through 167 with composure, finds treble 16, then tidies up on double 20. That finish tells you everything about his confidence right now. Eighty-three per cent on the doubles, and it shows.
Anderson opens up space in the second leg, pulls clear, and cleans up efficiently on tops from 56 to level it. No drama, just experience asserting itself.
The third leg wobbles briefly for Van Veen as the scoring drops, but Anderson cannot capitalise on 126. That reprieve matters. Van Veen steadies, moves through 68, and goes treble twenty into double 4 to hold. It is not spectacular, but it is precise.
Anderson forces a decider by surviving his own scare. He misses double ten for a 140 finish, but Van Veen cannot land the big checkout. Anderson returns, adjusts, and pins double 5 to drag the set to a final leg.
The deciding leg belongs to Van Veen. He opens with a maximum, takes control immediately, and stays ahead throughout. From 160 he applies pressure, scores 138 to leave 32, and after one miss, calmly returns to sink double 16.
No breaks of throw, but Van Veen still finds a way.
21:37 GMT - VAN VEEN 1-1 ANDERSON
Van Veen hits a third maximum of the match, followed by a 149, leaves 32 and he wastes no time, pinning double 16 for a 10-dart break. It is fast, assertive darts and Anderson barely gets a look.
The Dutchman consolidates in the next leg. Six darts at 132 are calmly reduced, and he returns to clean up 18 and double 16 to hold, keeping the tempo high and the pressure firmly applied.
Anderson steadies briefly in the third leg. Van Veen applies pressure by leaving 77, but Anderson holds his nerve, stepping in to take out 72 with a single dart at tops.
The set, however, belongs to Van Veen. First to a finish in the fourth leg, he shows his quality once more, dismantling 117 with treble 20, 17 and double 20. It is another precise, confident checkout, and it seals the set 3–1.
21:20 GMT - VAN VEEN 0-1 ANDERSON
Anderson strikes first in the semi-final, edging a nervy opening set.
Van Veen starts brightly, landing a pair of 140s to reach 121 in the opening leg, but a loose visit gives Anderson an early look. The Scot cannot convert 130, and Van Veen steadies to clean up tops and hold.
Anderson responds with intent. He threatens the big finish but misses the second treble when chasing 170, yet stays composed to take out 72 via two single 16s and double twenty to get on the board.
The third leg swings momentum. Van Veen struggles for scoring rhythm, leaving 41, and Gary Anderson pounces. Single nine followed by double sixteen gives him the break.
In the decider, Anderson again does the hard work early, reducing 182 to 59 while Van Veen lingers on 102. Anderson misses either side of double twenty, offering an opening, but Van Veen cannot take tops. Anderson returns with his last dart and pins double ten to seal the set.
It is not fluent, but it is controlled. Anderson leads 1-0.
20:57 GMT - Up next, two-time winner Gary Anderson looks to reach another World Championship final.
Standing in his way is young Dutchman Gian van Veen, who's looking to reach his first.
20:57 GMT - Luke Littler thought he hadn't played that well, despite definitely playing that well.
"This is crazy," he told Sky Sports.
"A few boos, a few cheers, but it's been a good crowd. Big shout out to Paddy Power for blurring the signs after what Ryan said because he's partially blind in one eye.
"I went 1-0 down and was not the happiest. I thought I didn't play that well. Everyone knows I just want to go 1-0 up, get into that lead.
"I said to myself 'you will find it' and it went 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 and so on. Big shout-out to Ryan. He's done amazing this tournament. He can be proud."
20:55 GMT - Littler remains undefeated in major semi-finals, which is mightily impressive as it is.
He ended up with a 105.35 average, upping his tournament average to 103.44. He pinned 10 maximums en route to his third consecutive world final.
Both players were decent on the doubles, but The Nuke hit 59 per cent (20/34) of his, along with some superior scoring. All he needs is that nine-darter.
A mention for Ryan Searle who has had a magnificent tournament and heads home with a tidy £200,000 either way.
20:52 GMT - RESULT: LITTLER 6-1 SEARLE
Littler is into the World Championship final again!
Littler threatens another nine-darter to start, landing seven perfect darts before missing his line on treble 20. Searle steps straight in and punishes, taking out 170 with authority to hold and finally halt the run of legs.
Searle keeps digging. A superb 171 leaves him eight, and he tidies up on double four to move ahead and briefly apply pressure. For the first time in a while, Littler is forced to respond.
He does so immediately. A controlled 13-dart hold on tops steadies things, and when Searle misses at double sixteen in the fourth leg, Littler capitalises. A maximum followed by solid cover leaves tops again, and he pins it to force a deciding leg.
With the match on the line, Littler shows maturity. He cannot find treble 19 when looking at 167, but he stays patient, resets, and comes back to the oche with time on his side. One clean dart at tops sends him into another world final.
20:44 GMT - LITTLER 5-1 SEARLE
Littler moves one away from the final!
Littler unloads with 140, 134 and 136, barely giving Ryan Searle a look. He tidies up 91 on double ten to complete a 12-darter and underline the gap that has opened between the two.
Littler threatens perfection in the second leg, starting with six straight treble 20s before drifting into treble five with the seventh dart. He misses at double three, but Searle cannot punish and stays stranded well outside a finish. Littler returns to close the leg on double three anyway, still inside 13 darts.
By the third, Searle looks stuck in survival mode. Littler misses a big single in the setup but barely breaks rhythm, calmly pinning tops to secure the leg and set.
20:38 GMT - That set saw Littler's lowest average of the match so far, down to 100. Slacker.
20:34 GMT - LITTLER 4-1 SEARLE
The Nuke is very much in control now.
Littler attacks from the start, landing 174 against the throw, then follows with a maximum. He clears 51 on tops for an 11-dart break, immediately applying pressure where Searle needs relief.
Searle creates a chance from 146 in the second leg but cannot convert, wiring double sixteen. Littler stumbles briefly on 43, yet Searle cannot capitalise, missing four darts at a finish. Littler steps back in and closes on double 12, extending the run of legs.
There is no let-up in the third. Littler strings together 121, 140 and 80 to take control and reach a finish. Searle gets a look at 127 but cannot find treble 17. Littler returns and takes out 100 on tops to seal the set.
Another 3-0 set win for Littler, and seven legs now won on the bounce.
20:26 GMT - Littler's average has been over a ton from the first set, and it's just risen to 109 in set four. Heavy-hitting on Heavy Metal.
20:25 GMT - LITTLER 3-1 SEARLE
A rapid three legs from Littler put the reigning champion in control!
Both players trade maximums in the opening leg, but a messy visit from Searle hands the initiative to Luke Littler, who tidies up on double ten to hold.
The second leg underlines the gap. Searle flashes scoring power with a 177, but loose follow-ups undo the work. Littler pounces, working the finish down efficiently and breaking on double nine, letting out a rare shout of release as the crowd responds.
Littler raises the pace with another set win in sight. He pushes his set average beyond 108, and although the 170 checkout stays out of reach, the control never wavers. He resets, returns on 110, and finishes cleanly on tops.
Three legs, no debate. Littler sharpens the screws and moves halfway to the final, while Searle needs to find a response.
20:20 GMT - LITTLER 2-1 SEARLE
Searle starts the set well. He scores cleanly in the opening leg, strings together 132 and 100, and closes out 76 on double eight to hold.
Littler answers immediately. He lands his second maximum of the match, manages the leg efficiently from 187, and cleans up on tops to restore parity.
Searle then produces his best leg of the set. His first maximum arrives at the right time, followed by strong cover scoring to leave 83. He returns calmly on double ten to hold and put the pressure back on.
Littler refuses to blink. Another maximum gives him command of the fourth leg, and he again finishes neatly on tops to force a decider, despite Searle averaging over 104 across the set.
The deciding leg swings on missed chances. Searle opens poorly and allows Littler to build a lead, reducing 208 to 113. Searle fights back with a timely 180 and earns a look at 69 when Littler misses tops. He cannot convert, missing the bull, and Littler steps in to seal the set on tops.
Littler absorbs pressure, punishes the mistakes, and keeps finding finishes when the set is on the line.
20:09 GMT - LITTLER 1-1 SEARLE
Littler controls the pace, stays heavy on the scoring, and plays the percentages. With Searle slipping into a loose visit, Littler earns six darts from 167, ignores the noise for the bull and tidies up on double ten for a sharp hold.
Momentum builds in leg two. Searle struggles to find a treble across three visits, and Littler capitalises, firing consecutive 140s to move onto 120. He misses tops first time but resets quickly, returns on 20, and breaks throw to move 2-0 clear.
Searle briefly halts the run in the third leg. Littler cannot convert from 170, and Searle steps in to punish, pinning tops to break back and keep the set alive.
Littler raises his scoring again, lands his first maximum of the match at exactly the right moment, and leaves 41 with authority. One dart at tops is all he needs. He finishes cleanly, nods towards his support, and closes the set with control rather than flair.
A composed, clinical set from Littler.
20:04 GMT - Littler averaged 105 in that set but still lost it. Searle needs to keep that up.
20:00 GMT - LITTLER 0-1 SEARLE
First blood to Heavy Metal!
With the darts, Searle controls the first leg through solid scoring, works his way back onto 56 and cleans up on tops. There is no hesitation and no early concession of ground.
Littler responds with a sharp visit of treble 20, treble 20 and bull gives him control of leg two, and he finishes cleanly on tops to level the set. The tempo is brisk and the quality high from both players.
Leg three turns scrappy at the business end. Searle cannot convert 136, Littler misses chances on the bull, and then both players falter at the outer ring. Searle survives the exchange, returning to pin tops and move within one leg of the set.
Littler answers with his best leg of the set. A 177 followed by a 140 puts him firmly in command, and he leaves 40 after nine darts. He finishes efficiently to force a deciding leg.
Searle raises the level again, opening with 135 and 140 before continuing to pound the treble twenty bed. From there he gives himself time and space, works down to 76, and closes on double eight without drama.
19:40 GMT - Another round of boos for Littler on his walkout - until Pitbull kicks in, of course...
19:32 GMT - First up, it's Littler versus Searle.
The 18-year-old has never lost a major semi-final. Can Searle turn that stat on its head?
They'll be making their way to the oche very shortly. First to six sets!
19:06 GMT - Littler has sunk a whopping 47 180s in his run to the semi-finals, to Searle's rather more modest 18.
Heavy Metal is performing better with 140s and ton-plus throws though.
18:58 GMT - Littler has never lost in the five competitive meetings against Searle.
18:56 GMT - It's a match between arguably the two most formidable throwers in this year's World Championship, as reigning champion Luke Littler faces Heavy Metal Ryan Searle.
Littler is averaging 102.84 for the tournament and is in his third consecutive semi-final. For Searle, it's uncharted territory, but he's averaging a healthy 96.32 himself and has barely given his opponents a sniff on this run.
Both players have been effective on the finishing too, hovering just shy of 55 per cent.
18:52 GMT - Gary Anderson delivered a reminder of his title credentials with a commanding 5-2 victory over Justin Hood to book his place in the PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals on Thursday afternoon, delivering a performance built on relentless scoring, big-stage finishing and championship experience at Alexandra Palace.
Meanwhile, Ryan Searle produced a relentless, statement performance to hammer Jonny Clayton 5-2 and storm into the World Championship semi-finals, overpowering the Welshman with sustained pressure and superior finishing in the first match of the day.
Read more: Anderson halts Hood and Searle beats Clayton to reach World Championship semis
18:43 GMT - Gian van Veen produced a seismic performance at Alexandra Palace to dismantle Luke Humphries 5-1, extending his dominance over the world number two and storming into the World Championship semi-finals after Luke Littler ransacked Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0 to earn his place on Thursday evening.
Read more: Littler storms into World Championship semis as Van Veen takes out Humphries
18:35 GMT - Welcome back!
It's semi-final night at Alexandra Palace. Are we in for another shock or two this evening, with tomorrow's final in sight?