World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: James Wade and Gerwyn Price in action TODAY, Luke Littler waits – latest updates

Walk-on raises the roofAfter his 3-0 win over Thibault Tricole last night, Luke Humphries said: “It was not the best performance from myself. I didn’t feel like I was that clinical.

“After the walk-on, it took me back, the crowd were so amazing. That was one of the best crowds I have been in a room with.

“They made me feel amazing. I don’t get that very often. All that matters was that I got through.

“I could have averaged 105 and lost, and then it wouldn’t have mattered. I can come back after Christmas, be at my best and then think about being world champion.

“The best thing I did was change my walk-on. It has given me a new lease of life.

“I love the song, it’s great for the crowd that they know it and can sing it. It has worked in my favour. I enjoy walking out now.”

Classy tribute Luke Humphries offered his condolences to darts commentator Wayne Mardle following the tragic death of his wife in the week leading up to the World Champs.

The world No1 said after his win last night: “He has been with Donna since he has been 14 years old, so it is a horrible, horrible thing for him to go through.

“My condolences to Wayne, he is one of the top, top guys in the world and no one deserves to go through this.

“Hopefully he knows all the players and the fans and everyone is here from him if he needs.”

Rolling back the yearsPerhaps Gerywn Price is being underestimated this year as he claims he is back in his groove.

He said: “I just needed a break. Now I feel refreshed. Like I want to be there. Like being a kid again. Like when I first started playing.

“It’s made me fall in love with the game again.”

Price is rightBattling poor form and injury, 2024 has been a tough year for Gerwyn Price.

But the Welshman surprisingly heads to Ally Pally with more belief than when he won the Sid Waddell trophy three years ago.

Price told The Guardian: “I’m back. I’m more confident than ever going into the World Championship.

“Probably more confident than when I won in 2021.”

Price’s Murphy digSnooker star Shaun Murphy claims to have achieved a 147, nine-darter and hole-in-one.

But in a recent challenge to find which of the three was hardest, Murphy had a throw with Luke Humphries’ arrows and looked like he had never been at the oche before.

Asked about the three sporting feats, Gerwyn Price told The Guardian: “I’ve had a 96. Highest ever, 108. I won’t do a Shaun Murphy and lie about having a 147.”

Today’s scheduleHere’s what to come in both sessions today.

Monday, December 16
Afternoon Session (12.30pm)

• Wesley Plaisier v Ryusei Azemoto R1
• Luke Woodhouse v Lourence Ilagan R1
• Alan Soutar v Kai Gotthardt R1
• James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena R2

Evening Session (7pm)
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

• Niels Zonneveld v Robert Owen R1
• Connor Scutt v Ben Robb R1
• Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates R1
• Gerwyn Price v Huybrechts/Barry R2

A look back at a brilliant opening night at Ally Pally

Credit: Rex

Credit: Getty

Credit: PA

Credit: Getty

Sunday’s results

Also on the stage…Aside from the first class darts stars on the Ally Pally stage, there’s also the PDC Dancers.

The troupe of eight strutted their stuff tonight for the first time, in what will be a busy event for them.

Let SunSport introduce you to who they are below.

Humphries’ reaction

It was not the best performance from myself. I didn’t feel like I was that clinical.

“After the walk-on, it took me back, the crowd were so amazing. That was one of the best crowds I have been in a room with.

“They made me feel amazing. I don’t get that very often. All that matters was that I got through.

“I could have averaged 105 and lost, and then it wouldn’t have mattered. I can come back after Christmas, be at my best and then think about being world champion.

“The best thing I did was change my walk-on. It has given me a new lease of life.

“I love the song, it’s great for the crowd that they know it and can sing it. It has worked in my favour. I enjoy walking out now.”

Full reportRead what our darts man Rob Maul makes of Luke’s performance.

His full report is below.

Celebrity fanActor Jack Whitehall was in the crowd tonight at Ally Pally.

The comedy star even got into the spirit – dressing up in fancy dress.

He chose to come as Ali G! Brilliant.

Credit: GETTY

Low averageIt’s worth repeating, Humphries wasn’t near his best tonight.

But, he seemed at ease on the oche at Ally Pally.

For his first three legs he only threw an average of 83!

Reaction to Humphries’ winSky Sports’ Mark Webster shared his thoughts on Luke Humphries’ emphatic win.

He said:

Tricole will be disappointed because he allowed Humphries off the hook in the opening couple of legs. But from there, Luke was just enjoying himself.

“When he spoke to us earlier, he was saying he wasn’t going to feel the pressure about putting on a performance. It was just about winning, getting to that Christmas break.

“He’s done that, and he’s got plenty of time now,. That’s the perfect night. No legs dropped, and he can’t complain. It felt like he really enjoyed it out there.”

Humphries 3-0 Tricole (3-0)Humphries, in second gear, gets another 180.

He’s got better as the game’s gone on. He’s averaging 110 in this set.

105 leaves him now with a 76 finish, with Tricole not near a finish.

For the match, he finally needs a double 20, but he doesn’t get it on this go.

Left with a double 10, Humphries gets over the line in emphatic style.

He won all nine legs playing within himself.

Humphries 2-0 Tricole (2-0)99 gets Humphries down to 78.

With Tricole on 104, he could do with this going.

But the double 20 won’t go and there’s an opportunity for the Frenchman.

Tricole makes a mess of it, leaving the double 7 – which he fails to get.

Double 5 goes for Luke.

Humphries 1-0 Tricole (2-0)First 180 from Cool Hand Luke of the contest, which is amazing it’s taken this long.

He whittles his score down to 81, with Tricole putting pressure on a 115 finish.

Pressure? Nah, he find the bull for a 12-darter leg.

He’s won seven legs on the spin.

Humphries 3-0 Tricole (2-0)Tricole hits another 180 and they’re both down to a 142 score.

However, Humphries whittles his score down to 22 with a brilliant three darts.

He missed set darts, though, in his next effort – but Tricole doesn’t make him pay.

Humphries does the business, yet again.

Humphries 2-0 Tricole (1-0)Ooh. Tricole misses a big finish of his own.

He was a double 8 away from 146.

But that’s how you do it, though!

Humphries comes in with a 160 finish!

Humphries 1-0 Tricole (1-0)If he’s not careful, this could run away from Tricole.

Humphries takes the first leg of the second set really swiftly.

Can’t see Tricole coming back from this. Four legs in a row.

Humphries 3-0 Tricole (1-0)Humphries gets down to a finish, needing 155.

Tricole’s on 86, so there’s a bit of pressure.

99 leaves Humphries with 56.

Tricole makes another dreadful mistake, and Humphries cruises through to win the set.

He’s not at his best, but he’s breezed through that thanks to Tricole’s errors.

Humphries 2-0 Tricole (0-0)A good last dart from Humphries and 156 becomes 56.

But he can’t get it on his next go.

Tricole has an opportunity to break back, needs 76, but he’s careless. He had to scramble to get a treble.

Humphries gets over the line.

Humphries 1-0 Tricole (0-0)Tricole throws first.

And he makes a bright start, throwing a 180 on his second go.

But Humphries will get a look at 140, with Tricole on 60.

He leaves 85.

Tricole can only manage 40, when he needs 60, so Humphries has the opportunity to break throw and misses the double 16.

Tricole lets him off again, and Humphries gets the double 8 needed.

And now it’s time for HumphriesTricole comes out first.

But, to the tune of Kaiser Chiefs ‘I Predict A Riot’, Humphries makes to the stage.

Good reception for Cool Hand Luke too.

Match statsWhat a game! 17 180’s between them.