PDC World Darts Championship

As Rob Cross prepares to defend his title, Sky Sports’ Dave Clark previews the new-look tournament

London’s Alexandra Palace will be packed with darts-mad fans again this week, most donning outrageous fancy dress – from escaped convicts to human dartboards – and all cheering on their favourite players as they battle it out for the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy.

It’s the PDC World Championship, and this year’s tournament features a number of changes (see panel, right), plus the absence of the now-retired Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor for the first time in 25 years.

Here, Sky Sports commentator Dave Clark sets the scene…

This will be the first World Championship for years without the Power. How will that feel?