Summary

  1. Comedy dartspublished at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Romesh Ranganathan and Rob BeckettImage source, PA Media

    Can't see this pair returning to the Ally Pally stage any time soon.

    Comedians Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett threw a few 'arrers earlier for a special Sky programme they are filming.

    It's fair to say the standard was...appalling.

  2. Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 1-1 Nebrida

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    That's an impressive set from Jim Williams. He was pretty dominant.

  3. Williams wins second setpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 1-1 Nebrida

    Jim Williams is throwing to level the match and starts the leg off almost perfectly with a 180 and then, a 140.

    After nine darts, he has 91 left, which he gets nine darts at.

    Going single 17 and treble 14, Williams almost takes it out in three, missing double 16 narrowly.

    Williams' route to a 32 finish is an unorthodox, but successful one. Double seven and double nine level up this match.

  4. Nebrida holds throwpublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-1 Nebrida (2-1)

    To win this set, Paolo Nebrida has to win three straight legs.

    The man from the Philippines gets to try a finish first on 161, with Williams waiting on the same number.

    Nebrida gets treble 20 and treble 17 spot on, but is a bit out with the bull attempt.

    No trebles for Williams invites Nebrida back on 48. A single 16 sets up the double which he takes on the second attempt.

  5. Get Involved: Littler or Humphriespublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

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

    We asked who was most deserving of a Sports Personality nomination - Luke Litter (who was runner-up for the main award) or Luke Humphries, who was not shortlisted.

    For me it must be Littler by a mile. All that pressure on a 16-year-old who has not folded but only got stronger. Also if you add what he has done for promoting darts he should have been the main personality not just the junior,

    Anon (Please leave your name on text messages)

  6. What height should a dartboard be?published at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Here's a question a few of you have asked, so we consulted the official rules.

    Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 metres), while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7ft 9.25 ins.

    That's a fair old way when you're under pressure.

    Oche at Alexandra PalaceImage source, Getty Images
  7. Williams holds second leg in 14 dartspublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-1 Nebrida (2-0)

    Paolo Nebrida has struggled so far in this set to recreate some of the combination scoring he showed in the opener.

    A 130, including another bull from Williams, gives him at least six darts to take out 91.

    He only needs two. Treble 17, double 20.

    A 14-dart hold of throw.

  8. Williams breaks throw in second set opening legpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-1 Nebrida (1-0)

    Jim Williams is on the hunt to break throw at the start of this second set.

    His first 180 of the night leaves him with three darts at double 10.

    The first is a miss, the second is a single two to set up double four, which he finds with the third.

    A good start for Williams.

  9. A slow start to the matchpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-1 Nebrida

    An 18-minute first set between Jim Williams and Paolo Nebrida. For context, Gerwyn Price's win over Keane Barry on Monday saw the Welshman take the first set in under five minutes.

    If this match goes the distance, we could be here for quite a while!

    In terms of scoring, there is little to separate their averages.

    Williams is on 83.13 after the first set, with Nebrida slightly ahead with an 85.45 average.

  10. Postpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Stuart Pyke
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    Nebdrida missed a single nine. Unforgivable. But he took out double eight and somehow he has taken the opening set against the darts

  11. Nebrida takes first set after Williams misses five doublespublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-1 Nebrida

    Jim Williams has to hold his throw in this leg to take the opening set, and a 174 gives him six darts to take out 131.

    A visit without a treble takes him down to 86 and on his return, Williams picks out treble 18, but misses both of his attempts on double 16.

    Paolo Nebrida's 141 attempt is unsuccessful, giving Williams three more at double 16 and Williams goes too low on all three.

    Nebrida, on 41, starts with an unplanned 12. A single 13 gives him one go at double eight, which he takes for the set!

  12. Nebrida takes first set to a deciding legpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-0 Nebrida (2-2)

    Paolo Nebrida gets the throw back for the fourth leg of the opening set, where some high scoring puts him in a good spot to level up.

    He gets six darts to take out double 12. The second of those strays into double nine and a single three leaves him having to finish one, double one.

    Fortunately, Nebrida gets himself out of a tough spot in three darts to take the set to a decider.

  13. Williams leads after 127 checkoutpublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-0 Nebrida (2-1)

    Jim Williams has taken some real confidence since that break of throw.

    He goes from being broken in the first leg to a 127 checkout in the third leg.

    A single 20, a treble 19 and a third dart that lands flush in the bull.

    2-1 to the Welshman!

  14. Williams breaks backpublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-0 Nebrida (1-1)

    Jim Williams has had a bit of an unlucky start to this match, with two bounce outs in this second leg.

    A throw of 100 gives him three darts at double 20, after Paolo Nebrida misses two of his own at tops.

    Williams' second dart at a double, on the 10s, levels things up.

  15. Nebrida breaks throw in opening legpublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams 0-0 Nebrida (0-1)

    Paolo Nebrida, what a way to start your World Darts Championship!

    His first four darts all find treble 20 and the man from the Philippines gets a brilliant reception from the Alexandra Palace crowd.

    Nebrida fractionally misses bull to take out 121 for a 12-dart break of throw.

    He comes back to finish off 25 in two darts and an early lead.

  16. Postpublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams v Nebrida

    Jim Williams walks out to Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", a song which goes down well to kick off Wednesday's proceedings.

    The Welshman will want to land a few of his best shots to get past Paolo Nebrida tonight.

    Williams to throw first, game on!

  17. Williams looking to get past Nebridapublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Williams v Nebrida (19:15 GMT)

    Jim Williams clappingImage source, Getty Images

    World number 46 Jim Williams kicks off tonight's fixtures against Paolo Nebrida from the Philippines.

    Cardiff-born Williams has made the third round in each of the last two years, suffering defeats to Gabriel Clemens and Raymond van Barneveld in the 2023 and 2024 tournaments respectively.

    Nebrida is at the World Championship for a third consecutive year. On both of his previous visits he suffered first round exits.

    The winner of Wednesday's opening match will face Ross Smith on Sunday evening in the second round.

  18. Chicken tonight?published at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    A spectator dressed as a chickenImage source, Getty Images

    Super Mario? Yep.

    Donald Trump? Yep.

    Traffic cone? Yep.

    The fancy dress outfits at Alexandra Palace have been varied.

    We've even had a spectator dressed as a chicken. Must have been clucky to get tickets.

  19. Littler second in main SPOTY awardpublished at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Luke Littler and Keely Hodgkinson pose with their trophies at 2024's Sports Personality of the Year awardsImage source, PA Media

    As well as being named BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year, teenager Luke Littler also finished second in the main award on Tuesday night.

    Keely Hodgkinson, who won Olympic 800m gold in Paris, took the main award, while England cricketer Joe Root finished in third.

  20. get involved

    Littler or Humphries?published at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

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

    Luke Littler and Luke HumphriesImage source, Getty Images

    While Luke Littler's rapid rise has certainly boosted the profile of darts, there were some who felt Luke Humphries deserved to be on the Sports Personality shortlist.

    The credentials

    Luke Littler: Reached the world final aged just 16. Rose from 164 to number four in the world. Won 10 titles including the Premier League.

    Luke Humphries: World champion. World number one. Won World Cup [with England], World Matchplay and Players Championship Finals.

    Which darts star gets your vote?

    Let us know your view using #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    And hit the thumbs - up for Littler, down for Humphries.