Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
First to the stage is Michael Smith. In his first world final. What a life-changing couple of hours this could be for the man from St Helens.
How are those nerves?
Image source, Rex FeaturesSummary
Result: Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Michael Smith
Van Gerwen wins third title in his fourth final
Van Gerwen took initial four-set lead before Smith battled back
Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
Image source, Rex FeaturesPostpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
The MC legend John McDonald is ready to introduce our players. Not long now. Ninety-six players came, and two remain.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:19 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
#bbcdarts
Ricky Kellow: I love MVG, he is so relentless go on MVG.
'Best of luck'published at 20:18 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
World number 42 Ricky Evans...
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End of twitter postIt's up for grabs...published at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
This is what we're playing for. That and the small matter of £500,000.
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End of twitter post'Huge underdog'published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
Former Wales international John Hartson and comedian / tv personality Stephen Fry are cheering on the underdog tonight.
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End of twitter post 2New world order - China in their hands?published at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) chief Barry Hearn has revealed there are plans for the sport to get even bigger, to become "the new golf" and expand into China.
"I have a clear, concise plan of where this sport is going and that is globally," says Hearn. "We will see China develop a major darts involvement and there's a lot of people in China."
Nearly 1.5 billion, in fact. And it's a fact not lost on Hearn, who has seen his snooker empire embrace the Far East with players such as Ding Junhui.
"There's a lot of money in China. We are seeing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh picking up darts. We are not a UK sport, we are a global sport and as such we are looking at expanding into north America, to south America, we've opened a small office in China.
"I don't see any reason at all why darts shouldn't be the same size as professional golf."
Read more from Barry Hearn in Frank Keogh's excellent feature here.
Image source, Getty Images'Have a great final'published at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
World number five Daryl Gurney...
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End of twitter postHave these outfits hit the bullseye?published at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
Aside from the real event on stage, there's clearly an unofficial competition in the crowd as to who can wear the best fancy dress...
Image source, Rex FeaturesMaybe Mario is your thing?
Image source, Rex FeaturesWe're not quite sure what this is?
Image source, Rex FeaturesBut a novelty festive suit will always go down well.
Have you worn anything weird and wonderful at the darts? Are you there tonight? Let us know #bbcdarts
'The greatest show on Earth'published at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
PDC chairman Barry Hearn...
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End of twitter postget involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
#bbcdarts
Alexander Skulnick: Been a very strange tournament. I bet Smith can't believe how easy a route he has had to this final. He also has a history of nerves and mistakes on the biggest stages so I'm going to have to go for MVG to power to victory 7-2.
Jonny H: This will be a cracker, both score heavily and play at a great pace. Starting 2019 as I mean to continue, with a pizza in front of the darts...
Route to the final - Smithpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
- Round 2: Beat Ron Meulenkamp 3-1
- Round 3: Beat John Henderson 4-2
- Last 16: Beat Ryan Searle 4-1
- Quarter-finals: Beat Luke Humphries 5-1
- Semi-finals: Beat Nathan Aspinall 6-3
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End of twitter postRoute to the final - Van Gerwenpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
- Round 2: Beat Alan Tabern 3-1
- Round 3: Beat Max Hopp 4-1
- Last 16: Beat Adrian Lewis 4-1
- Quarter-finals: Beat Ryan Joyce 5-1
- Semi-finals: Beat Gary Anderson 6-1
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End of twitter postget involved Get Involved #bbcdartspublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
As always we want your thoughts on all the action. Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcdarts to have your say.
'One step from fulfilling my dream'published at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
What about Michael Smith? What's he got to say?
"I'm one step away from fulfilling my dream," said Smith. "It sounds so good (to be in the final)."
On his semi-final win against Nathan Aspinall, he said: "In the first two sets I was cruising and he started to come back and I was like, 'oh, I've got to start doing something now'.
"Nathan got better and better and better but I took the chances as they came. I think the seventh set was the crucial moment because I felt I was going to win after I went 4-3 up.
"I was so nervous and I nearly made a mess of it, but I'm so glad I held it together and got the job done."
'This tournament means the world to me'published at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
"It's going to be a phenomenal game with Michael Smith," said Michael Van Gerwen.
"I have a phenomenal record against Michael and I'm looking forward to playing him.
"This (tournament) means the world to me. I do a lot to come to the stage and I'm really glad I'm in the final. "The work is not done yet and I have to do more."
Thanks for joining uspublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
Hello there.
Michael here to guide you through Michael v Michael in the final of the 2019 PDC World Darts Championship.
Van Gerwen v Smith. There can only be one world champion.
A three-time world champion?published at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 January 2019
World champion in 2014...
Image source, Getty Images...and again in 2017...
Image source, Getty Images... now Michael van Gerwen is aiming for his third world title, and in a tournament full of shocks, he starts as the overwhelming favourite in the final with 10th seed Michael Smith the man looking to cause an upset.
Image source, Getty Images