It's been a wonderful tournament at the Alexandra Palace - and it certainly got the final it deserved.

Luke Littler's fairytale run ended at the final hurdle but the 16-year-old's exploits have brought a plethora of new fans - and perhaps future players - to the sport.

There were will be many days ahead for the teenager but Luke Humphries' story is just as inspirational.

From a man once so plagued by anxiety that he could barely play on the big stage to becoming PDC world champion and world number one.

Thanks for joining us these past few darting days - we hope you've enjoyed our coverage and, come on, get that dusty dartboard out the shed and start throwing a few arrows, eh? Never know where you could end up.

Image source, Getty Images

Well, we expected a dramatic night of darts - and we weren't disappointed.

Check out Phil Cartwright's report of Luke Humphries' World Championship triumph here.

Image source, Getty Images

John Part
Three-time world darts champion on Sky Sports

Luke Humphries has been so resilient and survived so many tough positions in this tournament.

He has proved his merit on every level, throwing and talent but also mental composure and attitude in general.

Luke Humphries has also lifted the Ballon D'Art tonight - the trophy for most 180s in the tournament.

It's poignant for him as his father-in-law has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer - and tournament sponsors Paddy Power have been donating £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 hit at the Alexandra Palace.

There's been more than 900 so the bookmakers will be handing over not much shy of a million pounds.

Luke Littler on Sky Sports: "It's been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs on my throw so Luke could break me.

"Fair play to Luke, he deserves it.

On moving into the top 32 after his stellar week:

"I would rather be in the top 32 than play the development tour. I am happy, top 32 and runner-up on my debut, it's unbelievable.

"I got to the final and might not get to another for the next five or 10 years. I can say I'm runner-up but I just want to go and win it."

Image source, PA Media

Wayne Mardle
Five-time world championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

Luke Humphries has been the man since October who has been more or less unbeatable.

He has lost one game, to James Wade, in the European Championship.

He thoroughly deserves it.

Image source, PA Media

More from world champion Luke Humphries to Sky Sports:

"This is a moment that will never ever be forgotten. Everything I've wanted to do, I've done now.

"Now it's about motivating yourself to do more and more - now I want be double world champion, I want to win loads of majors.

"The world is my oyster, I can win as much as I want - but I will never dominate because we are in a sport now that is so competitive.

"But Luke has been an unbelievable talent - not just on the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media. He took defeat so well there.

"You will never see a 16-year-old kid as down to earth as him - he's just something else. He is one of the best players in the world, no doubt about that."

Image source, Getty Images

New world champion Luke Humphries to Sky Sports:

"I could not put into words how great this feels.

"Honestly I was thinking in the back of my mind, 'get this one now' because he's going to dominate world darts soon! He's going to win plenty I'm sure.

"He's an incredible player and when I was on the brink of winning he was relentless - but I was really, really proud of the performance.

"That double eight at the end, I can't lie, my hand was shaking like mad. I'm world champion, world number one, I can't ask for more.

"It makes it more incredible because there was a time in my life when I was really depressed and I couldn't do it up on the big stage and had a lot of problems - so to be world champion is unbelievable."

Image source, PA Media

Down comes the confetti. Out come the fireworks.

And up goes the Sid Waddell Trophy in the ecstatic arms of England's Luke Humphries.

Image source, PA Media

Luke Littler looks understandably disappointed.

But there will surely be many more chances for the 16-year-old to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.

What a sensation he has been - and he is deservedly serenaded by the Ally Pally crowd as he picks up his runner's up award.

Luke Humphries is in tears as he embraces his friends and family. He sank to his knees on the stage and gave Luke Littler a big hug too.

A stunning performance from the world number one.

He was 4-2 down to 16-year-old Luke Littler but reeled off five successive sets - including a string of nerve-wracking deciding legs to become world champion.

Absolute darting drama to the end.

Luke Humphries hits two bulls when he wanted a bull and a 25 - it leaves an odd number.

But he comes back to the board after Littler's misses - and finishes off double eight to win his first world title.

Oh my goodness, Luke Littler misses three darts for the set...

A 180 for Luke Humphries who prises the door open...

Luke Humphries continues to hammer the treble 20 - but in a rare misstep, he then hits 26 with three darts.

Called Bed and Breakfast, that - single 20, single five and single one. Not sure why it's called that.

Anyway Humphries shrugs it off to take out tops. Deciding leg.

If Humphries wins it he's world champ.

Luke Littler replies with his 12th max.

The teenager misses two darts at double 16 - but slams in the third to hold.

Luke Humphries hits his 22nd 180 of the final on his way to levelling the set.

And he takes it. Important hold for the 16-year-old that.

Luke Humphries starts set 11 with a trebleless visit of 59 but follows up with a couple of tons.

But Luke Littler had the throw in this opening leg and is down to double 10...

Mark Webster
2008 BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Luke Littler is going to have pull on all his resilience.

The last set is the hardest for Luke Humphries and Littler just has to stay with him. Make him win this final setm, don't hand it to him.

Humphries knows how to win though - that experience would get him over the line, you feel.

Image source, Getty Images