World number one Smith and Welsh star Price will take centre stage on Monday night, with Smith up against Newcastle’s Callan Rydz, while Price faces 2021 semi-finalist Danny Noppert. It might seem mildly disturbing to hear a darts player talking about his “brand” but there is nothing contrived about Van Gerwen’s blistering talent or explosive celebrations. “It’s just me,” he says with a final shrug. “The Bulldog has gone. It’s 100% Mighty Mike.”

He later added: "There were a few days at the weekend when I wasn't 100 per cent sure but that's why I played. My specialist told if I played, I could make it worse. But if I played then I needed rest and when I played I needed to keep my arm moving smoothly and that's what I did. Smith, visit one As Smith’s first dart thunks into the treble-20 bed, the Ally Pally crowd begins to stir. By the time his third slams into the same spot – barely a second or so later – the sense of anticipation is palpable. Van Gerwen’s scoring has threatened to blow his opponent away but here is a sign that Smith – looking smooth and relaxed in his throw – is not going to be cowed. Van Gerwen was, then, still working as a part-time tiler in Holland. One of the internet’s typically overblown stories claims he tiled Dennis Berkgamp’s bathroom. “That’s not true,” Van Gerwen says. “I did the tiling at a house across the road from Bergkamp. But, sure, it was a very posh area. I was 18 and working two days a week. It’s different today. I own two houses and, well, I’m married to Daphne. We’ve been together seven years. She was only 14 when we met, and I was nearly 18. They had a music evening and she was with her parents. I asked if I could watch a movie with her. Life has changed since then because darts has got really big.” Good evening and welcome to our live blog of the Boylesports World Grand Prix final, as Michael van Gerwen bids to win this double-start major for the sixth time in his seventh final and Nathan Aspinall chases his first having never reached this stage before. It is phenomenal - Peter Wright's a two-time World Champion. He is a big inspiration for me, hence the [colourful] attire.The pair exchange 180s midway through this leg to get the crowd on their feet but it's MVG who takes the leg with a superb 13-darter to level the set.

I just turn up and play darts now, and I giggle when I win," quipped Anderson, a runner-up to Van Gerwen in the 2016 edition. Van Gerwen, who last won the title in 2016, only took the lead in the 29th leg despite a three-dart average of 101. All international deliveries will be sent using Royal Mail with the exception of heavy items such as dartboards, these will be shipped using a reputable delivery service such as DPD or DHL.South Africa's Devon Petersen, Australia's Damon Heta, World Grand Prix runner-up Dirk van Duijvenbode, Ross Smith and two-time world youth champion Luke Humphries are also in line for their first taste of the iconic Winter Gardens when play gets going - with all the action live on Sky Sports.