Justin Hood has won over the Ally Pally crowd, with his nickname 'Happy Feet' perfectly fitting his laid-back character.

But the nickname has nothing to do with his personality.

"For his first game at county darts, when he was a wee little boy, he forgot his shoes and you have to wear black shoes - it is a regulation and you can't play without them," his wife, Jessica, said.

"A member of his team, who had size 13 feet, gave him shoes to borrow. He is a size eight or nine.

"When he put his foot to the oche, they bent up like a slipper. People then called him 'Happy Feet'.

"You all see him the way I see him. He is being nobody else but himself. To see everyone love him like we do is such an amazing feeling."

Image source, PA Media

A 180 proves to be important set-up play from Justin Hood.

He breaks Gary Anderson's throw and makes it 1-1.

Justin Hood goes in front in this set.

Gary Anderson is well behind, on 325. Hood checks out 96 - treble 20, double 18.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

The atmosphere in here for Justin Hood is unbelievable.

Justin Hood takes his first leg.

Gary Anderson requires 170 but can't manage it, missing the second treble.

Hood needs 25 and takes it out at the first time of asking.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Image source, PA Media

Questions are being asked of Justin Hood. Does he have the answers?

The next set begins with a win for Gary Anderson. Another leg that takes him 14 darts.

An average of 98.02 in the first set for Gary Anderson. 91.57 for Justin Hood.

Anderson's 60% checkout rate proves crucial.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Gary Anderson has looked brilliant in this first set.

Image source, PA Media

It takes 18 darts this time, but Anderson wins the first set without letting Justin Hood take a leg.

Hood can't check out 72, missing his dart at tops after two 16s, and Anderson checks out 80.

He misses double 10, put pins double five.

Gary Anderson now a leg away from winning the first set.

He begins with a maximum and follows up with a 140 as he breaks Justin Hood's throw.

Hood only manages 39 on 95 and Anderson punishes him, checking out 50 with an 18 and double 16.

Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

Doesn't he look focused. Gary Anderson looks in the mood.

Gary Anderson takes the first leg.

A 14-darter to kick things off, with two 140s and a 100. He finishes on tops with Justin Hood back on 125 to hold his throw.

Image source, PA Media

Justin Hood walks on, bucket hat on his head.

Not long to go.

Gary Anderson has been rolling back the years and excelling at the World Darts Championship.

The Scot, who won the tournament in 2015 and 2016, beat long-standing rival Michael van Gerwen to reach the quarter-finals.

It is the first time that he has made it to this stage since 2022.

He has also won against Jermaine Wattimena, Connor Scutt and Adam Hunt at Alexandra Palace this year.

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Searle talking to Sky Sports after beating Jonny Clayton to reach the semi-final:

"It means a lot. I didn't think either of us played particularly well.

"I felt very nervous, and obviously there's a lot on the line so you can forgive me for that.

"My finishing under pressure was pretty good and Jonny missed a lot of doubles early on and that was the difference."

On the 111 finish to win set five: "The 111 was huge, and that's what I do all the time in practice, but it's different on stage with the crowd and it's hard. But to get through to the semis is massive - at least I'm on tomorrow night and I can set my alarm and have a lie in for once!"

On where the win ranks in his career: "This is number one. I'm provisionally number seven in the world now which is crazy to me.

"This is a message to people who can't see particularly well, I can't see particularly well so I try to be an inspiration to them. Other people who play darts and can't see very well, try not to let that hold you back."

It has been quite the few weeks for Justin Hood at the World Darts Championship.

He crushed Josh Rock, who many had been tipping for the title, 4-0 in round four and won a final-leg decider against Danny Noppert in a previous round.

This afternoon, he is up against two-time winner Gary Anderson. Will Hood's surprise run continue?

If you have somehow missed it, Hood's ambitions have been one of the big stories of the Worlds.

Not his darting ambitions, but what he hopes to do with his prize money. Hood wants to open a Chinese restaurant.

Ryan Searle has just reached the semi-finals for the first time. Is another player about to do the same?

Debutant Justin Hood is up against Gary Anderson soon.

Ryan Searle says he "can't see particularly well". He throws some decent darts, though!

Full quotes to come.

Laura Turner
Ex-Women's World Championship quarter-finalist on Sky Sports

Jonny Clayton just didn't have anything in response to Ryan Searle.

Searle weathered losing a couple of sets but he won't mind.

He's had a brilliant World Championship campaign so far.

Image source, PA Media