Two-time winner Peter Wright crashed out of the PDC World Darts Championship in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to Jim Williams at Alexandra Palace.

The 53-year-old, who was dressed as the Grinch complete with lime-green hair, ensured a miserable Christmas after posting a dismal three-dart average of less than 84.

Williams, a BDO runner-up in 2020, was also far from his best in a poor quality clash, admitting afterwards: “I was fighting myself all the way and it’s a little bit frustrating – but hopefully we’ll get there.”

A huge shock in round two as Jim Williams destroys the No. 4 seed Peter Wright. He’s beaten the former world champion 3-0 on Wednesday night to dump Wright out in the second round.

First James Wade, now Peter Wright. Huge scalps going out of the tournament early on.

Richard Veenstra advanced into the second round after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Ben Robb. The Dutchman waited until the very last leg to record a 180 before finishing off with a checkout of 74 to claim his spot in the next round.

Elsewhere, Luke Littler stormed into the second round with a 3-0 win over Christian Kist. The 16-year-old is a superstar in the making having notched up seven 180s and finishing off after a 64 checkout.

He sealed his win with double 20.

The evening session is well underway with the first match having just reached its conclusion. Ryan Joyce earned a 3-1 victory over Alex Spellman.

His average ended up a touch over 100 having completed his victory with a 16-dart leg. It was a very impressive performance from Joyce who books his spot in the next round.

Ross Smith was stung by a wasp on stage at the World Darts Championship after avoiding second-round pain to Niels Zonneveld.

Number 16 seed Smith eased to a 3-1 victory over Zonneveld before running into problems at Alexandra Palace.

“There’s the wasp,” Smith said in his post-match Sky Sports interview as he noticed the insect. The Englishman then recoiled in pain and said: “He’s just stung me like a good one.”

Michael van Gerwen began his bid for a third World Championship title by easing into the third round.

The Dutchman has not won the biggest tournament in darts since 2019 and is ready to end that drought, opening his campaign with a 3-0 win over Keane Barry.

The highlight was an impressive 167 checkout, finishing with an average of 98.17 at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen knows there is room for improvement but is happy to be in the next round.

The 2021 world champion opened his campaign with a swift 3-0 victory over Conor Scutt on Monday night before thanking the “brilliant crowd” after deciding to play.

The Scot, who won back-to-back crowns at Alexandra Palace in 2015 and 2016, has been looking back to his best this year after a lull and eased through to the third round with a 3-0 success over the Australian.

He set the tone with a 180 with his opening throw of the match and won the first five legs to take command.

Anderson, who averaged 98.29, saw it out in style, taking out 116 for the highest checkout of the match.

The evening session of the darts begins at 7pm and the headline act is Peter Wright’s return to the Ally Pally. Here’s the schedule:

Round One: Ryan Joyce v Alex Spellman Round One: Richard Veenstra v Ben Robb Round One: Christian Kist v Luke Littler Round Two: Peter Wright v Jim Williams

It’s 8pm on the opening night of the World Darts Championship and Michael van Gerwen is sinking a pint to raucous roars at Alexandra Palace. It’s not the Michael van Gerwen, admittedly, although from a distance there is the same pink bald head, the same iconic lime green shirt, and if you discount the slightly smaller, rather rounder frame it makes for a convincing double.

Van Gerwen, the three-time world champion and last year’s beaten finalist, does not play here until Tuesday but as the man wearing his costume finishes his beer and the room erupts to chants of “Oooooh, Michael van Gerwen!”, the party at Ally Pally is underway. It is utter carnage already.

Later, Michael Smith, the world No 1 and conqueror of Van Gerwen in last year’s final, will take to the stage at the front of the packed hall and begin his title defence. Smith is returning to Ally Pally for the first time since his victory over Van Gerwen, a match that changed his life and produced the greatest leg of darts the sport has ever seen.

Smith’s historic nine-darter in the World Championship final, which came just seconds after Van Gerwen had his own shot at immortality, became the leg that was heard around the world: Wayne Mardle’s iconic commentary – “I CAN’T SPAKE, I CAN’T SPAKE” – helped create the sport’s first genuinely global viral moment, racking up over 30m views on social media.