Van Barneveld throws 180 to start set four. The Dutchman is playing really well.

The problem is, he is facing a teenage darts terminator.

A brief respite for Barney, as he checks out with double 12 to take the leg.

If Littler holds throw, he goes 3-0 up.

And he throws 180 number five of the match! What a moment to pull that out!

Van Barneveld is throwing as well as he can, gets a 180 of his own, but Littler is streets ahead.

He sets himself up for double 20 to win the set - bang on the money with his first dart.

In. Cred. I. Ble.

Littler missed four darts for that last leg. He responds with 180 to begin leg four of set three.

However the proud veteran and five-time champion van Barneveld is starting to throw well.

He has 71 to win the set - but misses two darts at double 16!

Litter with 65 for out, hits 25, double top... he gets it and strikes back!

2-2, the next leg decides set three.

Littler strikes his fourth 180 of the match. He is getting better and better.

The teenager is on an 85 finish. Treble 10 for double 20 - but this time he misses!

However Barney cannot reach a finish, so Littler has another go - but hits single 20, nothing, single 10.

And with double 10, van Barneveld steals!

How can Van Barneveld respond? He has a 170 finish, but can't get it.

But then Littler, with 130 to finish, gets a second bounce out of the night.

And Barney takes advantage to win the leg with bullseye!

1-1.

Both men are throwing well at the start of set three - 140s galore.

Littler, with the throw, gets to a 100 finish. 20, then two tops... both hit!

Magnificent, simply magnificent.

It's not the darts themselves which are impressive about Littler - although those are sensational.

It is the sheer confidence he exudes, the sense he totally deserves to be on that stage in the World Championships.

It's hard to see how van Barneveld comes back at this stage. But darts is a sport where the momentum can change in an instant...

Simon: Re eating too many miniature Heroes (see 21.21 GMT), I'm still doing that at 40!

Anon: Might well be some interesting careers officer interviews in schools this year!

Remember to put your name on all correspondence.

Image source, Getty Images

Littler with the throw, and the chance to move two sets ahead.

He opens with another two treble visit, then a 180! His second of the match.

Barney responds with a maximum of his own - but Littler has 48 to win the set.

He gets two darts at tops, and seals it with the second!

16-year-old Luke Littler is two sets from the world quarter-finals!

What can van Barneveld do to respond? He throws 177, then Littler gets a bounce out!

Van Barneveld finishes with a double 12. 2-1 to Littler in set two.

"You've got school in the morning," the Ally Pally crowd sings at Littler.

Utterly unfazed, Littler throws 140 to set up a 144 finish - and so nearly gets it, just the wrong side of double 12.

Van Barneveld however can't see out 109, and Littler cleans up for 2-0 in set two.

Van Barneveld is first to a finish but misses double 20. Littler, on 45, hits the five then strikes double top again.

An immediate break!

Image source, PA Media

Luke Littler threw an average of 103.88 in the first set.

Like a practice session down the pub.

Second set under way.

Darren S: Littler has been outstanding but only his first round performance was eyebrow raising. He wasn't quite as good in rounds 2 and 3 and coming up against a five-time world champion won't be easy. I think he'll win 4-3. Strap yourselves in for a fun ride!

Nerves? What nerves.

Luke Littler looks totally at ease on stage as he throws a near perfect leg to seal the first set with a break of throw.

But van Barneveld has come back from much worse than this in his storied career.

Littler throws back to back 140s to put pressure on van Barneveld.

Followed by a 139! Littler is first to a finish.

Double 14, Double 20... he takes it!

Luke Littler takes first blood.

Image source, Getty Images

A small reminder that Littler wasn't even born when van Barneveld last won the World Championships. Remarkable.

Littler holds throw and will win the opening set if he breaks the Dutchman next up.

Image source, Getty Images

Stung, Van Barneveld throws another 180 in leg two.

With Littler nowhere close, Barney finishes with a double 7. 1-1.

Luke Littler throws 180 on his second visit. But so does van Barneveld!

A top quality start by both players.

Barney is first to a finish, but it's 156 and he's well short.

Littler sets himself up a 50 finish - and wins the opening leg with double tops!

Set one, leg one.

Here we go.