2330: Would you believe it! In a sudden death shoot-out at the end of the final set, 'Travolta' has dumped Jelle Klaasen out of the tournament.

Klaasen missed nine darts to claim victory, however he has only himself to blame and will need to have a serious think about how he let this match slip.

'Travolta' will now face Adrian Lewis and if he shows the bottle he demonstrated tonight, we could be dancing to 'Greased Lightning' for a good while longer.

That's the end of tonight's blog, I'm off home with a bottle of wine to put on the soundtrack to the hit film Grease and read a biography of former American president Gerald Ford. See you tomorrow.

2305: 'Travolta' has kept up the pattern of this match so far and has pulled level to take this match into a final set.

Grease is still the word with the 'Ally Pally' crowd as they cheer on most people's favourite Dutch Grease fan.

These two players really do 'Go Together' with their action packed styles of play, however they could probably do with keeping a bit of composure in this set.

2304: Klaasen has claimed the third set in this quickfire game, these truly are the two fastest darters in the west.

'Travolta' will need to pull something out of the bag otherwise it truly will be 'Raining on Prom Night' as his world title dream ends.

2250: Van der Voort was throwing at the doubles like a 'Beauty School Dropout' in the deciding leg of this set.

However, the man Sporting Life will now give the nickname of 'Travolta', was given a second chance by Klaasen and regained his composure to claim the second set 3-2.

This match is looking like a tough one to call and we can't work out who we are 'Hopelessly Devoted To'.

2236: The two Dutch players have played this first set at a 'Greased' lightning pace and its Klaasen who takes the glory 3-2.

Van der Voort wasn't far behind his countryman, however at the moment an on stage rendition of 'Summer Loving' looks a heck of a long way away.

2229: The players have made their way to stage with Vincent van der Voort coming down to the tune Greased Lightning, from the hit movie Grease.

An interesting choice of music from a man who appears to be the complete opposite in appearance to John Travolta.

However, it has got the crowd going and with his very own Olivia Newton-John walking down with him to the oche we could be seeing our very own darting love story.

2217: The crowd are now regaining their composure as they prepare for the quickfire Dutch derby between Jelle Klaasen and Vincent van der Voort.

2213: Sadly, for 'Gerald', the people of Barbados and the Sporting Life office, miracles don't happen and Barney has just about battled through to win the third and final set.

'Gerald' had two chances to claim a famous set, however he missed his opportunities and the defending champion was able to move through by checking out of 'The Madhouse', double one.

Barney will have bigger fish to fry in this year's tournament but he will certainly face no-one with the heart of our favourite man from Barbados.

2210: 'Gerald' has now won to two legs on the spin to pull level with Barney in this set.

Recent X-Factor winner Leon's debut single contains the line "there can be miracles when you believe" and we will certainly have seen one if the man from Barbados comes back to win this match.

2204: 'Gerald' has claimed his first 180 of the night to send the crowd once again into absolute bedlam.

He may be two legs down in the final set but the crowd don't care, they have fallen in love with the man from Bridgetown.

2156: Just as expected Barney has ruined the faiytale and claimed the second set.

'Gerald had chances to claim victory but he seemed to buckle under the pressure and has allowed the defending champion to go 2-0 up in this match.

It doesn't matter though, the Darts world and Sporting Life has a new hero in the form of plucky qualifier Anthony 'Gerald' Forde.

2151: And Gerald's now gone 2-1 up in this set. The crowd and the Barbados player's family are chanting 'easy', that may be a step too far, however the greatest shock since Derby won a Premier League game is still in the offing.

2145: Thank you to Killer for his coverage of the start of this evening's session and he, like me, is hoping 'Gerald can at least take a leg off 'Barney'.

And with the support of the whole of 'Ally Pally, he has taken the second leg of the set to send the crowd and the Sporting Life office wild.

Already the whole of the British darting public have taken 'Gerald' to their heart and we can only hope his adventure continues in this match.

2139: First set goes the way of Barney as expected, but things could be about to change as control of the blog hands over to 'Hexty', founder member of the Anthony 'Gerald' Forde fanclub. Can he inspire a comeback?

2131: 'Eye of the Tiger' belting out of the PA system can mean only one thing - and the 'Barney Army' are soon in full voice as the reigning champion takes to the stage. A 3-0 win for the champ looks the most likely outcome but 'Gerald' looks as cool as a cucumber. Come on, son!

2130: The man they (we?) call 'Gerald' is here - and 'Hexty' is delighted as he trots out in the yellow and blue colours his Oxford United side wear. Looks like he's trying to make a point to our man, though. Clearly visible at the top on the back of his shirt is the word 'Anthony'. Point taken?

2120: It takes Lewis nine darts to find a treble in what proves to be the final leg of the match, but a clinical finish sees him wrap things up.

2110: Noticeable that Lewis is taking his time with his outshots. He's always been a quick player but he's taking a pause before his double shots. Not sure it's working as well as he would hope as he's hardly nailing double after double. But he's still winning two sets to one so it's not too much of a worry at this stage.

2102: Patchy second set from Lewis seeks 'Diamond' level matters. Therein lies the enigma that is Lewis - great player but prone to sloppy spells. Still, he's only a young lad and consistency will come with experience.

2042: Curate's egg of a first set in the Askew-Lewis match - Lewis averaging a hugely-impressive 107 per three darts but eight missed darts at a double mean (though he did hit his winning tops first dart) he only edges it 3-2. For those wondering, the origin of the phrase 'curate's egg' is apparently a 19th century cartoon in Punch. Wonder no more.

2030: Could be a good omen for the underdog in this next one - tonight's Sportinglife Christmas party is a James Bond-themed affair...and 'Diamond' Dave Askew has just strolled onto the stage to the strains of 'Diamonds Are Forever'. Still, Adrian Lewis is a heavy favourite.

2022: 'Mr Magic' hasn't missed the spit and sawdust of the Circus Tavern one little bit - at the third time ofasking he's won a first-round match at the PDC World Championship, beating Priestley 3-1. Of course, Priestley's imminent operation after being diagnosed with prostate cancer means it is easy for him to put defeat into context, but for Maish this is a night to remember.

2004: Phase one of the Priestley fightback complete as he takes a set without losing a leg. He's got the throw in this set as well.

1950: Maish goes 2-0 up in sets with Priestley not on his game. Only way 'The Menace' can win now is to make this yet another 3-2 first-round game. Doesn't look likely at the moment, though.

1945: Eric Bristow tells Priestley to "take his time" on a double shot. No danger of anything else happening, Eric! As it turns out, Priestley misses and Maish checks out. It's a leg apiece in set two, with Maish having won the opening set.

1923: Things go a bit 'Dog and Duck' as Priestley throws 11 and Maish counters with 43. Still early days but Priestley isn't looking happy.

1918: Credit to whoever the lady was who geed up Priestley before the game - five of his six darts have plundered the big red lipstick. Maish isn't far off the pace himself, but as a man from the home of the 'legendary' Tots nightclub, he'll be missing the sticky floors of the Circus Tavern more than most.

1915: On his way to the stage Priestley stops to kiss two members of the fairer sex (presumably family members) and one gives him a pre-match gee-up by shouting "Win" in his face. She repeats it three seconds later for good measure. Surely 'The Menace' hasn't forgotten the whole purpose of him being at Alexandra Palace tonight already?!

1910: Three world champions in action tonight in the form of Dennis Priestley (up first), Raymond van Barneveld and Jelle Klaasen. Barney is a virtually unbackable 1/500 to beat Anthony Forde with 'Gerald' (as my colleague Nick Hext likes to refer to him) 33/1. Let's get on with the action...

1710: Alex Roy has managed to see off the brave effort of Warren Parry to move through with a victory secured in a fifth leg tie-break.

Parry was tremendous during the match and, unlike New Zealand's rugby team, he can return home with his head held high.

'The King of Hearts', however, takes the glory, although he will have to improve if he is to make a real impact in this tournament.

Join us again this evening as we enjoy more darting fun in north London.

1610: The next two players have made their way to the oche wuth Alex 'the King of Hearts' Roy preparing to face Warren 'Wazza' Parry.

Parry is from Wrey's Bush in New Zealand and looked slightly surprised to be making his way into the arena to the Ordinary Boys tune 'boys will be boys'.

'Wazza' is sporting a traditional bushy black 'tache and will be hoping his journey round the world to north London is rewarded with an impressive performance.

1600: 'The Hammer' has moved straight back into his stride and ended Kwadijk's unlikely world title dreams with a 3-1 victory.

There is now one less Dutch player in the tournament, however Hamilton, a member of the 'Stoke mafia', keeps the Pottery army moving.

'Hammer' was impressive this afternoon and if he continues in this form he is going to be a serious contender in this year's tournament.

However, Kwadijk will have to return to Holland and deal with the best that the Dutch Christmas TV schedules can throw at him.

1550: There is an old saying that it is often wise not to peak too early and if that's the case Andy Hamilton could be in trouble.

'The Hammer' well and truly nailed Dutch darter Leroy Kwadijk to move 2-0 ahead in his first round match, firing in 180's from all over the oche to leave debutant Leroy looking well and truly shell-shocked.

However, Kwadijk has showed huge bottle to win the third set to keep his dream alive and slightly derail the 'Hammer' express.

The match is now in the fourth leg with all to play for.

1510: Just seconds after Chris 'The Hammer' Hammer departs the Sportinglife offices, Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton takes to the oche...

1510: Tony 'The Viper' Eccles lives up to his name with a stinging victory over Wayne Jones to reach round two. We tipped the Hartlepool chucker for glory in the BDO competition earlier this year so are well aware of histalent - and he hasn't disappointed today.

1420: That's more like it. We've just seen a proper match!

Miloslav Navratil, ironically one of those preliminary-round winners we've just been moaning about, has pushed Andy Jenkins all the way.

The 16th seed only just survived, producing his best darts towards the end of the match after Navratil had levelled things up at 2-2.

Now let's hope that sets the tone for the rest of the day's play.

1330: Indian Ashfaque Sayed can go home able to say 'I played at the World Championships' but that's about all.

He's been soundly thrashed five legs to nil by China's Shi Yongsheng and really didn't look much better than a decent pub league player.

At least he didn't have to travel as far as New Zealander Alan Bolton - he came halfway around the globe to suffer his 5-0 defeat at the hands of Erwin Extercatte.

The championships have been opened up to more countries in a bid to spread the game around the world, but in practice it's only resulted in some miserable mis-matches.

Of the four preliminary-round ties at this year's tournament, three have resulted in whitewashes.

1240: Over the past few years, darts has tried its best to promote itself as a professional sport in which fitness plays a key part.

No longer, we are told, can you be the fat, pint-swigging player so famously referred to in that sketch on Not The Nine O'Clock News.

Phil Taylor, in particular, has made much of his fitness 'regime' in the run-up to this tournament.

However, you still have to wonder how much difference it really makes, don't you?

This guys throw darts at a board from almost 8ft away and then walk up to the board and take them out. Admittedly that's done a lot of times, but it's hardly comparable to the 10km-plus that the likes of Steven Gerrard cover every game they play.

Therefore hopefully Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton's setback won't prove too costly when he takes on Leroy Kwadijk later this afternoon.

Apparently he fell down some stairs earlier this week and has suffered a knee injury.

Hopefully it didn't occur after a few pints.

Meanwhile, today's action is under way. Two preliminary matches are first up. Not sure the quality is going to be too high given the early throws.