Stephen Bunting vs Luke Littler – World Darts Championship semi-final: Live score and set-by-set updates as ‘The Nuke’ aims for second straight final but up first Chris Dobey takes on Michael van Gerwen

Mighty Mike hasn’t won the world championship since 2019 and last year was the first since 2011 that he didn’t win a televised tournament.

Underestimate him at your peril, though.

This is his ninth semi-final here. He knows what he’s doing.

Asked if he coule become champion again, he said:

‘That would be nice. People probably know the answer, but no, it’s a tough one.

‘It’s a tough battle, but I love to face battles, and as long as I keep believing in my own ability, then the King will come back.’

Chris Dobey may have a word or two to say about that…

Considering his affinity for Manchester United, it was something of a surprise to see Littler mimic Didier Drogba’s celebration during last night’s action.

At least he’s cleared it up now!

What would your celebration be? Do let us know in the comments. No prizes for the winner. Personally, I’d go for a Peter Crouch robot, or a stunning triple-backflip if my rigid frame would allow.

Well, as we go further into the tournament, the sets only increase.

Tonight’s competitors must be the best of 11 sets, so it’s as much about stamina, particularly mental, as it is skill.

A place in the final is worth £200,000, while the winner will take home a tidy £500,000. Hold your nerve, boys.

This is how Littler held his nerve against Aspinall to book his place in the last four.

It wasn’t always easy going for the 17-year-old – especially that nervy fourth set – but it was a double tops to seal the deal.

Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey will get us going on the oche at around 7.40pm.

While the Dutchman edged out Callan Rydz 5-3 in a rollercoaster of a quarter-final, Dobey – who happens to be from Bedlington, the same town as Rydz – beat Gerwyn Price by the same score in the last eight, taking four sets on the spin to make it to this stage.

Scouse sensation, Tiktok trender, and Tungsten talent Stephen Bunting is the man aiming to stop Littler in his tracks.

He’s a hit with the crowd, and knows his way around a darts board. He beat Peter Wright, a two-time champion, to get his shot tonight.

Until he lifts the title, Alexandra Palace will always be felt with a tinge of heartache for Luke Littler.

Last year he came so close on that memorable debut. This year he is the favourite, especially with reigning champion Luke Humphries out.

He comes into tonight with a tournament-high average of 101.08 and smashed Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in the quarter-finals to get here.

One man stands in his way of back-to-back finals…

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the World Darts Championship semi-finals drama.

Tonight the dreams of two men will be crushed, while another two will edge a step closer to glory.

First up we’ll have three-time champion Michael van Gerwen against Chris Dobey, and then we’ll get down to Luke Littler against cult hero Stephen Bunting.