Stephen Bunting vs Luke Littler – World Darts Championship semi-final: Live rating and set-by-set updates as teenage famous person races into FOUR-set lead, whereas Michael van Gerwen awaits winner after demolishing Chris Dobey

What have you got, Littler, to keep this leg alive? A 140 will do.

He hits a very rogue 44, though, as one darts on five threatens to fall off.

Bunting puts him under the cosh with a 162 to leave 140, but the Nuke can finish from 100… and does!

Yet more ruthless darts from both.

A huge 140 from Bunting on his second visit helps him on his way to holding his throw – you’d think. Littler plucks a 180 out of nowhere, but then Bunting does!

The Bullet needs 20 to finish and hits double 10. He nearly has a set!

Littler has the darts in this leg and opens with 99, as Bunting responds with 59.

The Nuke strikes with a 98, not great, and Bunting nails a 171 to briefly avenge himself.

Littler hits 60 to open the door, and a 101 for Bunting akes a break possible for his fourth visit.

But a 180 from Littler is devastating, knocking him down to 64 while Bunting will need 70.

A 44 from the Nuke gives the Bullet the chance, and he takes it on double four. A leg against the darts.

My oh my. Littler is running away with it.

He is just too rapid down from 501. He’s down to 130, but a 180 from Bunting leaves the more experienced star on 81.

Can Bunting take his chance? NO! He misses double 13, and it’s over to Littler to find 76.

He nails treble 20 and then double eight. It’s 4-0. How. Why. What has Bunting done wrong. Littler is flying.

He’s two sets from victory.

A 133 on his second visit is just what the doctor ordered for Bunting… only for Littler to hit 180. This is what he does. Could be on for a record at the world champs, he’s on 59 180s and the record is 83.

A 140 from Littler is deadly to go down to 54. Bunting takes a drink to steady himself as he needs 154… and only manages 94.

A chance for Littler to break from 54 – and boom! He hits 14 then tops and it’s advantage to him in this set.

Too easy for Littler here. A 59 along the way doesn’t help Bunting when the Nuke follows it up with 139.

Littler gets down the 88, then 40. Bunting only managed 96 to put himself on 189, nowhere near enough. The Nuke explodes into life for this set and takes the leg.

Another 180 from Bunting and you feel he needs that for his confidence here. he’s played well, averaging almost 100, but it’s not enough.

He gets down to 122 and hits 90, a nice score to lave 32. A strong start to the fourth set.

But Littler puts pressure on with a 180 to leave 68.

Bunting holds with a double 16.

Ouch. A 27 on his second visit is devastating for Bunting, followed by a 174 from Littler. He has 47 left after nine.

Bunting gets down to 274, a tragic leg.

Littler finishes off in 12 darts. Unforgiving. A 114 set average.

There we go. Bunting finishes up from 25 with nine and double eight.

Littler is in his element. Another 140 here along the road to almost taking the leg.

Bunting needs a 122 to finish, requires a bullseye, but hits 25.

From 142 Littler hits double treble 20s and then MISSES double 11.

That gives Bunting the chance to finish his dinner.

Five perfect darts to start the leg for Littler, hitting 180 and then 140. Bunting hits 100 then 140 but it’s not enough.

A 127 from the Warrington wizard puts him on 54, while Bunting can only get himself down to 217.

All the time in the world for Littler, and he hits 14 and tops.

It’s a 60 from Bunting then a 177 from Littler.

A 100 then 140. Tenterhooks for the Bullet.

But a 140 from Bunting give him a slither of optimism, but Littler hits back wth 128.

Another 140 from Bunting but Little rhas reversed the darts and needs 156, but he goes odds and finishes with 15 to hit 36. A wild miss at tops.

Bunting needs to get down from 64 and manages it. A poor leg but he’s taken it.

It’s a middling start to the set from Littler with 60, and Bunting thrives with a 140 to reverse the darts.

A 90 next from Littler looks weak, but his Scouse opponent lands just 60 and is miles out.

Then a 134 from the Nukes shows he means business. What can Bunting produce? A 42. Eeek.

We’re slow getting down here. A 59 from Littler on his fourth visit, a 99 from Bunting.

And then a GIGANTIC checkout. Littler needs 158 and manages it, with a double 19 to end. Brutal.

This is such a fast-paced showdown that it’s hard to keep up. Colossal scores flying in left, right, and centre. 140s from both in this leg.

But it’s Littler who hits tops at the end to take the leg and the set, leaving Bunting scratching his head on 65. He had done little wrong, but could have nailed the 17-year-old in the previous leg.

Littler hits the SEVENTH 180 of this match. Exquisite. Who wants to hold their throw in this match so far? It’s all about the breaks.

Littler gets down to 92 and Bunting needs to get down, hitting 140 to go to 48 and try to turn the leg around. Littler can’t finish and there’s a chance at 48… which the Bullet doesn’t take with 32.

The Nuke finishes on 24.

Less quality on show in this leg until Bunting hits a 138 and Littler can only reply with 81.

The Bullet needs 164 and ALMOST does it, almost taking the bull at the end but narrowly missing and hitting 25.

Littler tires to finish from 126 but the bullseye also escapes him.

Agony from Bunting at 25 to finish as he busts his score going for double eight, but Littler, with a chance to condemn him, only hits 20, missing a double 10.

Eventually Bunting breaks back with a double four. An 18-dart leg.

Bunting opens with 59, a slow start like the last set, and Littler gets his nose ahead with 99.

A 133 gives The Bullet something to smile about before a 134 from Littler wipes it away.

But Bunting hits back with a 139 and Littler can’t quite keep up on 128. Sets up a nervy finish to the leg.

And Bunting almost nails it, hitting 139 from 170 but missing the bull. Littler bits 100 to get himself down to 40.

Bunting needs 31… and MISSES. The double four eludes him.

He’s punished by Littler, who misses tops but nails double 10. Missed chance for Bunting there after a good leg.

Bunting managing 113.35 so far to Littler’s 105.92.

KIERAN GILL:

Nothing like nipping to the loo in the media room, and then Michael van Gerwen walks in to do the necessary before his press conference. Stephen Bunting did little wrong in that first set – 113 average, 67 per cent at the doubles – and yet is 1-0 down after not taking a 92 checkout. Fine margins in this game.

Another 180 from Littler. Might as well copy and paste the number into every post at this stage.

The Nuke flies ahead down to 87, but Bunting hits a 140 to get to 92.

Can Littler finish? No – he needs a bull and misses.

Bunting messes up from 92 and leaves himself with 54, and Littler punishes him from 46, ending on double 10.

First set to the teen! The quality from both was remarkable.

We’re almost getting bored of the 180s! Bunting bags another. Litlter responds sternly with a 140.

Thsi match has nine-darter written all over it the way we’re going.

Bunting sees himself over the line and levels up!

Littler is on form and a 134 helps him get right down in this leg, but then it’s a 180 from Bunting. We are being treated to sensational darts here.

Another 134 from Littler leaves him on 152, only for Bunting to hit 123 – almost another maximum!

Can Littler finish from 152? No. He throws 58.

Can Bunting end it from 103? No – it’s 83 for him.

Littler squanders a 94 finish, landing 54, and Bunting manages his double 10.

Littler has his first 180 of the night and his 52nd of the tournament! But Bunting stirkes back with a 140.

But guess what? The Nuke lands his SECOND 180 of the match and he’s down to 41.

Butning does his best, hitting a 140 to get down to 80, but Littler completes the task of 41 in three darts.

Littler gets us going with a 140, almost a 180! The tease. Bunting hits back with a 58. Ouch.

It’s then a 60 from Littler to open up the leg, but Bunting can’t even match that – 59.

Then, another 140 from Littler to put himself in a commanding position, especially as Bunting only manages 100.

The Nuke needs 161 and gets 121 to set up an easy finish. Bunting hits our first 180, but it’s from 284, too late.

And Littler hits tops at his second attempt to take the leg. Big scores!

A few boos in the background for Littler, but it’s mostly a great reception as he comes out to ‘Green Light’ by Flo Rida, with plenty chanting along.

Lots of smiles from the 17-year-old.

Lots of cheers as he and Bunting embrace each other. And they’re singing along until the end of the song.

Out for his second semi-final, here comes Bunting!

He waltzes out and slaps the hands of his fans as they belt out ‘Titanium’ by Sia. He’s got one of the most epic walk outs. He takes a photo with a man in a chicken suit. Why not.

‘I’m bulletproof,’ he sings to the crowd. Well, he doesn’t have to take any bullets tonight. Just throw the darts well!

He has the arena in his hand as the beat drops as the audience goes wild. The love for him is dripping from the walls.

This is worth a quick skim if you fancy it. All about the rise, mystique, and popularity of Stephen Bunting. He would be a very celebrated winner if he manages it tonight.

This picture has been doing the rounds on social media. A nice full-circle moment.

Alright, get your predictions in for the next match.

I’d be amazed it it’s as quick as that. Van Gerwen breezed through for the most part.

Littler has been made to work for his wins this tournament. He’s had some slow starts. I think I’ll go for a 6-4, with the Nuke pulling away at the end, but Bunting packs a punch.

He faltered at times but overall that was very solid from Van Gerwen.

Eight 180s along the way were too much for Dobey to keep up with, though he managed five himself.

And an average of 98.84 was superior to the pride of Bedlington, who hit 94.77 – a very commendable score but not enough to contain the three-time world champion.

In the end, it was a crushing.

Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler up next.

Michael van Gerwen couldn’t contain his language in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.

98, 99 average. I can be happy. I wasn’t as explosive as I was in the last game but I was efficient.

You’re always going to have ups and downs, but today I showed mentality. When thigns weren’t going my way. I was able to produce some stuff in the right moments.

To win on this stage, especially in the semi-final means a lot to me, in front of this crowd, my family is watching.

But were not even close yet, still so far away. Tomorrow is another day. The title is far away. I want to keep battling for what I do in my body.

I love what I do. it’s my passion, it’s my life.

I’m only in the final. I’ve won f*** all yet. I’ve got to do it tomorrow.

He’s back.

Dobey needed something massive and he lands a 180 to give himself a fighting chance of staying in. He backs that up with a 97, not enough.

And MVG bags a 188 of his own to set up a 41 checkout.

Dobey doesn’t put enough pressure on, getting down to 64, but MVG fluffs his lines and only hits nine to give Dobey a glimmer of hope.

From 164, the Englishman only manages 64.

And MVG does end it with double 16 and Ally Pally erupts. Van Gerwen is back in the final!

Another of those mid-table sets with lots of scores beneath 100, but a 140 sets Van Gerwen up nicely.

Dobey can’t finish from 158 but does get 134, putting pressure on MVG’s 82.

But he manages it and finishes with a double 20 to go within a leg of victory.

Some big scores from Dobey here and a 140 is the highlight.

But MVG is on stride, leaving himself with a 32 checkout and doing it in three darts with Dobey stranded on 94. Close, but not close enough.

More back-to-back 180s from MVG but the seventh darts lets him down again with a 20. Still, marvellous effort.

But Dobey punishes him and lands from 120!

This match feels like it has the writing on the wall and a 180 from MVG only intensifies the feeling.

It’s a five-visit leg from the Dutchman. Dobey gets nowhere near, only getting down to 148.

MVG finishes on his 13th dart with double tops to take the sixth set.

An emphatic 180 from Dobey sets him on course to take the set, which he really needs.

But he’s sloppy and this leg goes to the wire, with him on 160 and MVG on 181 before the Dutchman hits a 145.

Dobey only manages to get down to 78 and MVG hits double 18 to square off the set. Clinical.

Quite an average leg with a lot of scores in the 80s and 90s.

Until a 136 from Dobey leaves him on 40, with Van Gerwen ALMOST landing a 153 to somehow take the leg.

But Dobey manages tops and breaks MVG’s throw. Almost more magic from the Dutchman on that 153.

Lovely stuff from Dobey as he squares off the set with a double 16 to finish from 41. There’s a 180 along the way.

MVG opens with 100 and Dobey responds with 91, not a bad start.

A 46 from MVG gives a chink of light and it’s a 180 from Dobey!

Where has MVG’s form gone? He hits 39, and Hollywood gets 44, keeping ahead.

MVG tries to get back in it with a 98, but 96 from Dobey leaves him on 90 for the checkout.

Van Gerwen only gets 58 and Dobey gets himself down to 10.

But from 158 MVG takes the leg, finishing on double 19 out of nowhere!

Well, Van Gerwen is running away with this now!

He almost checked out from 140, with two treble 20s, but then he just missed the double 10.

Dobey had a chance from 146 but only got 78, and that was that.

There’s no messing about from the three-time world champion, who hits double 10 first time on his next visit to take the set.

MVG misses FIVE chances to check out from 16 and Dobey punishes him, managing to get down to double eight.

The Dutchman was pulling away. Dobeyits a 134, MVG matches that.

MVG required 128 but only hit 58 to give Dobey a chance to get back in from 210, but again it’s a 58 for the Englishman.

MVG hits treble 18 but misses double eight twice, and Dobey punishes him!

Dobey needs to get back in and what does he do? Hits a 46, but then gets a 134 on his next visit.

But MVG is flying now and gets down to 108 with a 140, while Dobey is stranded on 124.

MVG misses tops to leave Dobey with a glimmer of hope, but needing 124, he hits 40.

And the Dutchman punishes him, not via double 20 but via double 10.

A 17-dart hold of throw.

Dobey gets us going in this fifth set with 100, but MVG gets ahead with 140.

Then it’s 134 from Hollywood, but 139 from MVG to stay in front.

Dobey responds with a 131 and MVG cracked with 96.

Hollywood needed 136 to check out but couldn’t do it first time as he hits just 58.

Needing 126, MVG hits 98, and Dobey can’t finish off from 78.

MVG hits double 14 and it’s a break of throw.

How does Michael van Gerwen respond to Chris Dobey reeling in the Big Fish? With a 10-darter to break his opponent’s throw, of course, en route to claiming the very next set.

Quite a low-quality leg to start off with but Dobey puts the pressure on MVG with a 134 mid-way through it, only for the Dutchman to respond with a 140 to get down to 73.

Dobey need something big from 225, but slumps with a 58.

And MVG checks out from the 73 to take the set. That. Was. Rapid.

Almost a nine-darter from MVG! He hits two 180s in a row and then experienced the customary boos after missing out on the nine at the seventh dart, but he gets it done in 10.

MVG somehow lands one of his darts… in one of his others! You don’t seethat often.

But he finished from 100 with a treble 20 and tops. Back on form.

It’s a weak start from Dobey to this leg and he finds himself on 150, with MVG needing 74.

Dobey can only get down to 108 but MVG only hits 34 and there’s a chance.

And he does it! Dobey comes down from 108 to take the set!

Wow! Huge cheers for Dobey as he smashes a finish from 170 but two double 20s and then a bullseye to set the Ally Pally alight! MVG was breathing down his neck but he has broken him big time with that.

‘Walking in a Dobey wonderland,’ the crowd sings. A 12-darter.

More big-hitting from MVG with a 134 and 140 along the way. A haphazard leg.

Dobey opens with 60, but then MVG only manages 59.

The Englishman can only reach a 67 after that, and MVG gets his nose ahead with a 134.

At the end, MVG needs 48 and only hits 32… a chance for Dobey to finish from 80? Well, he misses double tops and MVG has a chance… but busts his score!

Finally, Dobey manages to hit a double 10 to hold his throw.

That could be a pivotal moment in this match – 40 required, three throws, and yet Chris Dobey contrived to miss double 20, then double 10, then double five. Oh dear.

Clinical from MVG and Dobey will be regretting his errors.

Dobey loves that triple 19 and does well in this leg with a huge 134, before a 131. But he couldn’t finish from 96 and then failed from 40, missing double tops, double 10, and double 5. Ouch.

MVG swoops down to punish him and lands a double 16 at the second time of asking to complete a 74 checkout.

It was a weak start from both of them, but Dobey got his nose in front with a 126 using two triple 18s.

But then… a 140 from MVG to leave himself on 180, but he can only hit a subsequent 60.

Dobey manages to finish from 48 to keep himself in the set,

A lovely set-up from MVG from 179 to 40.

Dobey almost gets down from 126 to deny him, but hits the 25 rather than bullseye at the last dart, and the Green Machine punishes him with double 20.

A straght break back from the Dutchman. He needed double 12 to finish and got it done.

He’d almost hit another 180 on the way.

Dobey had the chance to win from 70, but needed a bullseye and hit 25. That was costly.

Dobey flew out of the traps there. MVG got off to a shoddy start with 59, and Dobey came out hitting with 154, 140, and 134. He couldn’t finish on the 59 initialy but gets the job done on his 13th dart.

The Ally Pally faithful are trying to encourage Chris Dobey by singing his name. Important that he logged his first leg of the match, as a nervesettler. My prediction? 6-3 to Michael van Gerwen.

MVG lands another 180 but has a couple of disappointing throws in the 50s. He is nailing that treble 20.

Dobey is still having decent luck with that triple 19 that he has liked so far this tournament, but it’s not enough.

MVG finishes with tops and takes the set with an average close to 104.

Well, that was all Dobey. He showed what he can do with a 180 and a 140. A bit nervy on the finish as he missed double eight but hit double four to take the leg. MVG only got down the 170.

Another max score from MVG to establish early dominance here!

It’s an 11-darter from the Dutchman as he finished from triple 20 and tops. Dobey got nowhere near but did hit a 140 along the way.

Light work for Van Gerwen as he breaks Dobey’s throw!

Dobey got off to a disappointing start with 65 and Van Gerwen set the tone with a 180 and then 140.

At the finish, MVG needed a second go at the double eight but got the job done.

It’s a noisy reception for Michael van Gerwen with the fans chanting his name. He claps to the crowd as the sparks fly, exchanges a hug with Dobey. Moments away from the start now.

Let’s see if he really does rumble as his song suggests. Dobey is on stage.

Chris Dobey speaking to Sky Sports:

It’s an amazing feeling, big achievement and a big step in my career. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

I’m capable of doing it and I know I can go on to win. It’s just waht happens on the night.

Van Gerwen:

There’s still a long way to go and I’m feeling good. He got away with it against Gerwyn Price but that can make him more confident. I’m concentrating on my own game.

The stats in the tweet below said it all for this quarter-final – averages of over 103, with 31 180s between them.

In another year, playing the way he did, unseeded Rydz might have won the whole thing. He has the second-highest average for the entire tournament but he was outclassed – just – by Van Gerwen.

Are you happy to see MVG back on the big stage?

We’re not far from that part where Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey will be doing their ring walks. They’ll be backstage trying to keep their hands still.

Van Gerwen always comes out to Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, while Dobey grooves his way to the stage to the tune of Let’s Get Ready to Rumble by PJ & Duncan.

Luke Humphries has revealed who he wants to win this year’s championship and take the mantle from himself. You can read more about that below.

Who are you getting behind?

There’s always entertainment at the darts, even if none are thrown!

Here are just some of the outfits on display at Alexandra Palace tonight.

It’s a bold move from the chap dressed up as a bag of fries – he might get eaten if somebody in a drunken state gets confused!

Good effort from this lot.

Nothing like a bit of virtual sparring, is there?

Dobey said that facing Van Gerwen in the semis would be ‘easier’ than Callan Rydz, who is from the same town in the north east, Bedlington.

He had made that comment before MVG beat Rydz, but the Dutchman later hit back: ‘People, when they win, they talk a lot of nonsense.’

Soon to be settled on the oche…

Mighty Mike hasn’t won the world championship since 2019 and last year was the first since 2011 that he didn’t win a televised tournament.

Underestimate him at your peril, though.

This is his ninth semi-final here. He knows what he’s doing.

Asked if he coule become champion again, he said:

‘That would be nice. People probably know the answer, but no, it’s a tough one.

‘It’s a tough battle, but I love to face battles, and as long as I keep believing in my own ability, then the King will come back.’

Chris Dobey may have a word or two to say about that…

Considering his affinity for Manchester United, it was something of a surprise to see Littler mimic Didier Drogba’s celebration during last night’s action.

At least he’s cleared it up now!

What would your celebration be? Do let us know in the comments. No prizes for the winner. Personally, I’d go for a Peter Crouch robot, or a stunning triple-backflip if my rigid frame would allow.

Well, as we go further into the tournament, the sets only increase.

Tonight’s competitors must be the best of 11 sets, so it’s as much about stamina, particularly mental, as it is skill.

A place in the final is worth £200,000, while the winner will take home a tidy £500,000. Hold your nerve, boys.

This is how Littler held his nerve against Aspinall to book his place in the last four.

It wasn’t always easy going for the 17-year-old – especially that nervy fourth set – but it was a double tops to seal the deal.

Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey will get us going on the oche at around 7.40pm.

While the Dutchman edged out Callan Rydz 5-3 in a rollercoaster of a quarter-final, Dobey – who happens to be from Bedlington, the same town as Rydz – beat Gerwyn Price by the same score in the last eight, taking four sets on the spin to make it to this stage.

Scouse sensation, Tiktok trender, and Tungsten talent Stephen Bunting is the man aiming to stop Littler in his tracks.

He’s a hit with the crowd, and knows his way around a darts board. He beat Peter Wright, a two-time champion, to get his shot tonight.

Until he lifts the title, Alexandra Palace will always be felt with a tinge of heartache for Luke Littler.

Last year he came so close on that memorable debut. This year he is the favourite, especially with reigning champion Luke Humphries out.

He comes into tonight with a tournament-high average of 101.08 and smashed Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in the quarter-finals to get here.

One man stands in his way of back-to-back finals…

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the World Darts Championship semi-finals drama.

Tonight the dreams of two men will be crushed, while another two will edge a step closer to glory.

First up we’ll have three-time champion Michael van Gerwen against Chris Dobey, and then we’ll get down to Luke Littler against cult hero Stephen Bunting.