Michael Smith will bid to become darts world champion for the first time after beating James Wade

Michael Smith will bid to become world champion for the first time and make up for dropping in the 2019 World Championship remaining to Michael van Gerwen.

The final Englishman to win this title was Rob Cross in 2018, but ‘Bully Boy’ Smith has one other shot at the £500,000 prize and Sid Waddell Trophy.

Ice cool in dismissing James Wade 6-3, he will face a formidable opponent in both Peter Wright or Gary Anderson, whose semi-final began late at Alexandra Palace.

Michael Smith reached the World Championship remaining after beating James Wade in the final 4

Smith stormed into an early lead, taking the first two units with a 106 common to Wade’s 92.

‘The Machine’ would wish to enhance to keep away from an embarrassing scoreline. He did precisely that, taking the third set with a 121 end. Wade ought to have taken the fourth set however missed a dart at double tops, permitting Smith to snatch a 3-1 lead as an alternative.

This was Wade’s fourth semi-final look at this event. He’d by no means reached a remaining and was up towards it as Smith relentlessly took the subsequent two units for 5-1.

Wade was blown away by ‘Bully Boy’, who will now look to become champion for the first time

Wade knew from private expertise not to wave the white flag. He, too, led by that scoreline in 2012 towards Adrian Lewis, solely to go on to lose 6-5 and fail to make the remaining at Ally Pally.

Wade managed to get it again to 5-3 however that was the place the comeback ended, as Smith took out double 10 to seal his spot in the remaining. Wade sportingly applauded his opponent.

Meanwhile, world No 1 Gerwyn Price says the World Championship ought to be held in numerous international locations, saying it’s unfair that English gamers get to play at Alexandra Palace yearly whereas others obtain abuse from the crowd. 

The Welshman misplaced 5-4 in the quarter-finals to Smith, regardless of throwing a nine-darter. Price is used to being booed however the insults bought to him on Saturday as he paused mid-throw to request a heckler be faraway from the crowd.

Smith reached the remaining in 2019 however misplaced, and will hope to avenge his defeat this time round

A livid Price afterwards posted on Instagram: ‘Cheats.’

In one other put up, the former rugby participant added: ‘It’s solely honest if the World Championships are performed in every nation. Wales. Scotland. Ireland. England. Europe. Next yr in Wales please.’

Price added he was proud for enjoying effectively in defence of the title he gained in 2021. ‘I will be again,’ he stated. ‘Class is everlasting.’