World Darts Championship results LIVE as Ryan Searle leads Jonny Clayton in opener on epic Ally Pally day

World Champion Luke Littler heads an all-star New Year's Day cast at the The Paddy Power World Championship as he put his title belt back on the line.

It's traditional quarter-final day at the Alexandra Palace with The Nuke returning to the arena for the first time since Monday's controversial outing and speech when he faces Pole Krzysztof Ratajski in the opening match of the evening

After Littler, World No.2 Luke Humphries will attempt to keep his bid on course as the 2023/24 winners has a crackerjack tie against European champ Gian van Veen on a fabulous night of darts.

The afternoon clashes are also superb and kicked-off by in-form Ryan Searle against Jonny Clayton before Gary Anderson maintains his charge for a third title with an encounter against Justin Hood, who has been a revelation at the event so far.

You don't want to miss this – join us LIVE for all the drama as the last eight do battle

He's not dropped a set in this tournament so far and, two sets into his first quarter-final, that stat hasn't changed. Clayton has the throw in the next and, if he loses it again as he did in the opener, he's bang in trouble.

Heavy Metal is into the groove already. Clayton averaged 113 in that first set and still lost it 3-1. Fabulous beginning from Heavy Metal as he takes the opener in the race to five.

Searle leads the pair onto the stage with Ozzy Osbourne blaring.

Jonny Clayton has moved into the provisional World No.4 slot with his run to the last eight and he’s expecting a big clash.

The Ferret looks like being in the 2026 Premier League, but the chance to follow his mate Gerwyn Price as a World Champion burns.

Clayton knows this is a toughie, though, and said: “Ryan and I, we both play the same kind of game. We