Summary

  • Quarter-finals of PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace

  • Luke Littler beats Nathan Aspinall 5-2 to set up semi-final against Stephen Bunting

  • Bunting wins 5-2 against Peter Wright

  • Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz and will face Chris Dobey, who defeated Gerwyn Price, in Thursday's semi-finals

  • Get Involved: #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Littler beats Aspinall to set up Bunting semi-finalpublished at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Luke LittlerImage source, PA Media

    That's your lot for tonight, folks!

    Another brilliant night of arrows and superb performances from Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler to set up a mouth-watering semi-final contest.

    Earlier in the day there were wins for Chris Dobey and Michael van Gerwen, who meet in the other last-four tie.

    You can read about all those matches in Frank Keogh's report here.

    We'll be back for both those matches as we discover who will make it through to the final at Alexandra Palace. Join us again tomorrow evening for that!

  2. Semi-final line-uppublished at 22:51 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Michael van GerwenImage source, Getty Images

    All of which means the semi-final line-up is set...

    • Chris Dobey v Michael van Gerwen
    • Stephen Bunting v Luke Littler
  3. Wednesday's resultspublished at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    A very eventful day at Ally Pally and here's a reminder of what we've seen...

    Afternoon Session

    Chris Dobey 5-3 Gerwyn Price

    Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Callan Rydz

    Evening Session

    Peter Wright 2-5 Stephen Bunting

    Luke Littler 5-2 Nathan Aspinall

  4. What a year for Littlerpublished at 22:45 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Luke LittlerImage source, PA Media
    • Last year was Littler's first as a professional
    • He reached the world championship final in January 2024 aged 16, where he lost to Luke Humphries
    • The teenager won 10 titles in his debut year including the Premier League
    • Littler rose from 164 to four in the world rankings
    • He was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and was runner-up in the main award to athlete Keely Hodgkinson
    • His prize money topped £1m
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Wow. Just wow. He’s 17 yet he plays like peak Phil Taylor going for his 15th world title. Absolutely mesmerising what this kid is doing. I can’t think of anything in any sport where the mentality is so beyond his years. Tendulkar as a test debutant for India at what, 16 was it? Pele for Brazil 1958 at 17 maybe. He’s in that company.

    Jason, Folkestone

  6. Postpublished at 22:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    It was spirited from Nathan Aspinall, as it is every time he plays, but it was nowhere near enough because Luke Littler is that good at the moment.

  7. 'I'll be back and up for it again tomorrow'published at 22:37 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 5-2 Aspinall

    Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we both played very well there but I'm so glad to win.

    "The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted a comeback but I had to finish it.

    "I wouldn't say it's hard to focus. When we each won a set, we gave a fist bump but once we hear 'game on', that's when it's game on. Afterwards we'll be fine."

    On expectations: "It's been fine. The Ryan Meikle game was very tough but ever since it's felt like last year. I'm playing with absolute confidence, with freedom and now looking on to the semi-finals."

    On facing Stephen Bunting: "The fans have been good for me tonight, they were also good for Stephen and they can take their pick for who they want to support tomorrow.

    "I can see quite a few Nuke shirts in here so I might have the better.

    "You play, go to sleep, wake up and you play again. I don't really like having days off because I don't practice. I know I'll be back on tomorrow and I'll be up for it again."

  8. Postpublished at 22:34 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 5-2 Aspinall

    Luke Littler finishes with an average of 101.54 and will play Stephen Bunting in the semi-finals tomorrow.

    That should be a brilliant game!

  9. Littler finishes the job to make the semis!published at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January
    Breaking

    Littler 5-2 Aspinall (3-0)

    Luke Littler is through to the semi-finals!

    For a moment it looked like he might win it in style with the 170. In the end he settles for a simple tops.

    A 13-darter to clinch a win that never really looked in doubt.

    Luke LittlerImage source, PA Media
  10. Littler one away after a 101 outpublished at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-2 Aspinall (2-0)

    Luke Littler is on the brink now!

    He gets his third ton-plus out of the night - 101 - after Nathan Aspinall misses a dart at tops.

    The teenager has the darts needing one more leg for victory.

  11. Postpublished at 22:25 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-2 Aspinall (1-0)

    Luke Littler has the darts in this set and holds to start.

    It was the big fish or nothing for Nathan Aspinall with Littler down to 16.

    The fish gets away and The Nuke returns to hit double four. He's two sets from the semi-finals again...

  12. Postpublished at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-2 Aspinall

    Rod Studd
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    Nathan Aspinall staves off defeat and is still afloat at Alexandra Palace. All he can do is move from Mission Impossible to Mission Highly Improbable.

  13. Aspinall gets a set backpublished at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-2 Aspinall (2-3)

    Steady on, folks, we're not done yet.

    Nathan Aspinall hits double four to take out 70 and win the set.

    An off leg from Luke Littler and Aspinall is still alive.

  14. Postpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall (2-2)

    Nathan Aspinall keeps this match going!

    He had to take out 62 with Luke Littler handily placed and he does so.

    Double 16 for a 15-dart break and Littler will have to break himself or we're going to a seventh set...

  15. Littler closes in...published at 22:20 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall (2-1)

    Luke Littler is one leg away from the semi-finals.

    Nathan Aspinall builds up a big lead in the lead but Littler hits his 14th 180 of the match, The Asp can't take out 65...

    It's 90 required for Littler. 20, 20... bullseye!

  16. Postpublished at 22:17 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall (1-1)

    Two legs away...

    Luke Littler secures the hold with a 13-darter after a 180 and 140 in the leg.

    Tops seals it with Nathan Aspinall not even on a finish.

  17. Postpublished at 22:15 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall (0-1)

    Nathan Aspinall gets the hold he needs to start this set.

    Double five gets it done. Hold throw three times in this set and he extends the match.

    Given how Luke Littler is playing, though, that is much easier said than done.

  18. 'Full kit' darts fanspublished at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    James Gregg
    BBC Radio 5 Live reporter at Alexandra Palace

    Darts fans at Alexandra Palace

    We all know about the outfits at the darts, but ‘full kit’ fans - for The Nuke and for Stephen Bunting - is a new phenomenon to me here at Ally Pally… what next, Ally Pally Ultras!?

    Or if you’re Karl from Germany…you don’t really care who wins as long as you see a nine- darter!

    Darts fan at Alexandra Palace
    Darts fan at Alexandra Palace
  19. Postpublished at 22:13 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall

    There were a couple of sets where this pair just scrapped it out but Luke Littler's average is still at 101.

    A very impressive showing and he's one set away from booking his place in tomorrow night's semi-finals.

  20. Littler goes 4-1 uppublished at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January

    Littler 4-1 Aspinall (3-1)

    Just brilliant.

    Luke Littler is a set away from victory with another superb break of throw.

    He seals it on double six for another 12-darter. The number of times he's only needed four visits to win a leg in this match is remarkable.

    He'll want to wrap this match up quickly from here. Has Nathan Aspinall got anything left to stop him doing so?