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Yorkshireman John Boy Walton, 47, opened the millennium in stunning fashion by claiming the Winmau World Masters in 2000 and then followed this up to become the 2001 BDO world champion.

Those successes meant that Walton was only fourth player in history to win the World Masters and the world championship in the same season, joining the likes of Eric Bristow, Richie Burnett and Bob Anderson.

He has enjoyed only moderate success since his 2001 world championship victory and Walton hasn't won any of the major open events since his successful year in 2001 when he took the British Open, British Classic, Belgium Open, Scottish Open and Portland Open. However, Walton made history at the 2007 Winmau World Masters in Bridlington by hitting a televised nine dart finish.

It was the first time a player had hit a nine-darter in the 34-year history of the event and was the first on BBC television since Paul Lim's historic world championship feat in 1990.

He is currently ranked 19 in the BDO world list and 22nd with the World Darts Federation (WDF)

Walton was the first player to have won either version of the world professional darts championship wearing spectacles.

Martin Adams became the second in 2007 and Mark Webster became the third last year

Trina Gulliver's attempt to regain her Lakeside Women's World Championship title has got off to a successful start.

The number one seed beat Lisa Ashton 2-0 in the quarter-finals at Frimley Green on Saturday to set up a semi-final with Karin Krappen this Saturday (January 10). The Dutch number four seed beat Scot Anne Kirk 3-1.

Francis Hoenelaar plays fellow Dutchwoman Rilana Erades in the other last-four game. The final is on Sunday.

Gulliver's unbroken reign at the top ended a year ago when she was beaten 2-0 in the final by Anastasia Dobromyslova.

The Southam star, gunning for her eighth straight title, had never been beaten on the Lakeside stage.

But Dobromyslova, 23, produced 94 and 90 checkouts, a maximum, 165 and six 140s en route to her first world crown.

She is not defending her title, having accepted an invitation to play in the rival PDC world championships.

The Russian, now based in the UK, lost 5-3 to Remco van Eijden in the preliminary round at Alexandra Palace.

MARKET Deeping's Martin Adams survived a massive first round scare to continue his World Championship charge on Monday night.

'Wolfie' was taken to the wire by Lakeside debutant Dave Chisnall before triumphing 3-2 after a nail-biting tiebreak.

Missed doubles proved costly for the England captain as he continuously allowed qualifier Chisnall back into the contest.

Adams, the 2007 champion, bounced back after losing the opening leg to win the first set 3-1 after hitting double 16 on each occasion with his first dart.

Both players missed vital doubles in the second set which Chisnall eventually took on a deciding fifth leg with his sixth dart for a double.

Adams made the most of his throwing advantage to take the third set by whitewashing Chisnall who replied in kind in the next set to level the contest again.

Further missed doubles continued to hamper Adams in the fifth and final set as the match headed for a tiebreak.

Adams defended his throw to move 3-2 in front in the set only to see Chisnall level.

The St Helens man then missed an agonising five darts to steal the lead before Adams hit double tops with his third attempt to edge 4-3 ahead.

Adams again missed countless double before clinching victory on double 12 to earn a clash with Daryl Gurney in the second round.