Image source, Reuters

That's it from us for tonight - and for 2024 - but what a way to finish off the darting year!

Luke Littler was given an almighty scare by Ryan Joyce but fought his way through, while Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting both impressed in reaching the quarter-finals.

You can read Callum Matthews' report on all the action at Ally Pally today here.

After all that excitement, I think we've all earned a day off and the PDC agree.

The World Championship resumes on New Year's Day with all four tasty quarter-final matches. We'll be back to bring you them so be sure to join us then!

Image source, Getty Images

After all that, this is what the quarter-final line-up looks like. You might want to keep New Year's Day free...

(Seeds in brackets)

Afternoon session

(15) Chris Dobey (England) v (10) Gerwyn Price (Wales)

(3) Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) v Callan Rydz (England)

Evening session

(17) Peter Wright (Scotland) v (8) Stephen Bunting (England)

(4) Luke Littler (England) v (12) Nathan Aspinall (England)

What an end to another brilliant day at Ally Pally. Here are the matches we've seen...

Afternoon Session

Kevin Doets 3-4 Chris Dobey

Robert Owen 3-4 Callan Rydz

Ricardo Pietreczko 0-4 Nathan Aspinall

Evening Session

Stephen Bunting 4-0 Luke Woodhouse

Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Jeffrey de Graaf

Luke Littler 4-3 Ryan Joyce

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

We got to see Luke Littler tested. It was nice to see.

He wasn't perfect, his doubling could use some work but he was resilient against a relentless opponent in Joyce.

That's what we love to watch in darts when both players refuse to concede and give up.

Luke got the job done with that extra little gear in the last set, almost a 111 average in that set. He's quite a talent.

Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports: "Honestly, I think I went into 10th gear at one point, I had to. I said to Ryan, he hit everything at me!

"I thought I’d break Ryan in the first set but he comes and hits me back. Then when we came on after the break, I break him again to go 2-1 up then it’s 2-2. If I’d held my own set then it would have been over and done with. But I’ve got to dig deep.

"I just wanted him to miss! I just saw it 48% for Ryan [on doubles] and I was 35% again. But I had a lot of chances at the doubles while Ryan wasn't close. I'm happy to win.

"I wouldn't say I was nervous, it was more adrenaline. I knew in that last leg, 'just hold your own for once in the game at least!' and I did on that double 12 - it shows I can hit it."

On potential nine-darters: "A few of the legs I ever started on 177 and thought 'that's the treble 19 out of the way' but obviously I don't end the year on five nine-darters.

"But hopefully I'll start the New Year off strong and get nine-darter for everyone."

On playing Nathan Aspinall next: "We've played plenty of times in the Premier League. He played very well this afternoon this afternoon.

"I just saw then I averaged 103 which I'm very happy with, another 14 180s, so chill tomorrow and come back New Year's Day."

On 2025: "I've not thought about it yet. I want to start the year off strong with a win over Nathan."

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

Luke Littler was pushed all the way. He is now appreciating more and more what it is like to be at the top of this game.

Luke Littler is through!

The teenager was pushed all the way by Ryan Joyce but he stands up to the pressure and turns it on in the deciding set.

An average of 111 in the seventh and he hits double 12 to clinch a hard-fought win.

The emotion comes through in an emphatic celebration. Littler knows he had to dig deep for that one.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Whatever happens in his match, Ryan Joyce's stock is rising in this sport.

More match darts go begging for Luke Littler.

Misses at double 16 and double eight give Ryan Joyce a chance to save himself...

And he takes it! Double is hit and Littler will throw for the match.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Make him throw it out, Ryan Joyce. Don't capitulate.

Ryan Joyce gave himself a chance of a break but another Luke Littler 180 means he has to take out 125.

He can't and Littler gets tops to move to the brink of the quarter-finals.

Luke Littler has started legs with 180s numerous times in this match and this time he goes back-to-back.

The crowd sense a nine-darter but it's not to be this time.

However, the teenager hits tops for a 13-dart break.

We're going the distance!

Luke Littler misses a dart for the match and Ryan Joyce gets the break. Remarkable stuff!

Joyce had the chance for an 11-darter after a brilliant 177 but missed two at double 16.

Littler then misses tops for a 116 out and Joyce gets the double 16.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

Can Luke Littler make one big effort to hold his throw and win the match and make the quarter-finals?

Brilliant from Luke Littler.

A 136 set-up to leave tops. He gets in one dart and now he is one leg away from victory.

Ryan Joyce needs another break to stay alive in the World Championship.

There's one back for Luke Littler.

He hits tops and there is no doubt that he'll still be thinking about winning this match in six sets.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Ryan Joyce is in command of this set and if he can find one more leg we'll be going all the way.

Littler has never played a final-set decider bar the final at the World Championships.

Two darts at double four going begging for Ryan Joyce... and a third. But he hits double two to go within a leg of forcing a deciding set.

A 17-dart hold so not the most efficient leg but he won't care.

He's really making the tournament favourite work.

Told you there was still work for Luke Littler to do...

Ryan Joyce hits double eight to break at the start of the sixth set.

Visits of 135, 171 and 119 stop Littler even getting a dart at double.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

That is big roar from Luke Littler. He knows how important that set is.

That is a big compliment for Ryan Joyce too. He's made Littler work and there is still more work to do.

Joyce will not buckle. He will not go away.