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PDC World Darts Championship kicks off at Alexandra Palace with first of 22 sessions over festive period in battle for Sid Waddell Trophy

Fans descended upon the famous north London venue for the opening night of the World Championships

IT'S officially nearly Christmas, folks.

Another season of festive fun, thrills and spills, and high entertainment began at Alexandra Palace on Thursday night.

 Reigning champion Gary Anderson was the star attraction on the opening night at Ally Pally
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Reigning champion Gary Anderson was the star attraction on the opening night at Ally PallyCredit: PA:Press Association
 Anderson makes his way to the stage on the opening night at Alexandra Palace
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Anderson makes his way to the stage on the opening night at Alexandra PalaceCredit: Getty Images

Fans descended upon the famous north London venue for the opening day of the 2017 PDC World Darts Championships.

There was fancy dress, and beer, galore as 3,000 spectators took in the first night of action at Ally Pally.

It's an annual tradition for sports fans to either have a night at the darts over Christmas, or take in the action on television.

 Fans arrive at Alexandra Palace for the opening night of the World Darts Championships
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Fans arrive at Alexandra Palace for the opening night of the World Darts ChampionshipsCredit: Getty Images
 A group of spectators come complete with sombreros for the opening night of the tournament
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A group of spectators come complete with sombreros for the opening night of the tournamentCredit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
 A group of darts supporters come dressed in Christmas outfits
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A group of darts supporters come dressed in Christmas outfitsCredit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

And the tournament gets bigger and better every year, with 22 countries represented on the oche over the next few weeks.

Around 66,000 darts fans are expected through the gate at Alexandra Palace for 22 sessions over the next

The next world champion will be crowned on January 2, and will scoop £350,000 in prize money along with the Sid Waddell Trophy.

The overall prize money on offer is a record £1.65million.

Frosty the Throwman melted the hearts of darts fans before being whitewashed by Gary Anderson.

Mark Frost’s chances at the World Darts Championships ended up being as remote as a white Christmas as he was smashed 3-0 by the two-time champion.

 The PDC dancers in action during the walk ons at Alexandra Palace
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The PDC dancers in action during the walk ons at Alexandra PalaceCredit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
 There were 3,000 fans in attendance at Ally Pally on Thursday
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There were 3,000 fans in attendance at Ally Pally on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images

 

But the part-time scaffolder from Stoke had a whale of a time, playing up to the crowd and celebrating wildly when he won his two legs.

For Anderson it ended up being a 13th consecutive win at the Alexandra Palace.

The Scot said: “Mark did the showboating up there, which is surprising as he is usually very quiet.

“That first set was very nerve-racking — you should have checked my boxer shorts!

“The main thing in the first round is getting through.”

Earlier Kevin Painter brushed aside Jamie Caven 3-1 to set up a possible second- round repeat of his classic 2004 final with Phil Taylor.