World Darts Championship: Key Characters 2024

Michael van Gerwen

Nickname: Mighty Mike, The Green Machine

Walk on Song: ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes

Number of World Championships: 3 (2014, 2017, 2019)

Every year when the Worlds roll around, MVG is tipped as one of the ones to beat and it is easy to see why. A six-time finalist and three-time winner, the Green Machine marks himself as the man the others should target.

When 'Seven Nation Army' starts playing, the Ally Pally crowd goes wild and Van Gerwen will only add to their excitement by putting on a show.

Expect a raft of maximums and ton-plus finishes to boot, and you wouldn't put it past him that he will hit a nine-darter too.

As one half of the "Greatest Leg of Darts" from the 2023 final, MVG will want to go all the way again, but this time be lifting that trophy aloft in January.

Michael Smith

Nickname: Bully Boy

Walk on Song: ‘Shut up and Dance’ by Walk the Moon

Number of World Championships: 1 (2023)

The other half of the "Greatest Leg of Darts", Michael Smith gifted the Ally Pally one of the Worlds' most iconic moments in 2023 when he hit a nine-darter during his maiden win.

The Wayne Mardle commentary will live on in darting history but it is Bully Boy who shows darts skill that leaves you speechless.

A quick player and maximum hitter, Smith will have the crowd right behind him as he looks to go back-to-back.

Don't count him out for a run to the final.

Fallon Sherrock

Nickname: Queen of the Palace

Walk on Song: ‘Last Friday Night’ by Katy Perry

Number of World Championships: 0

The Queen of the Alexandra Palace, Fallon Sherrock needs no introduction.

Her incredible run to the third round in 2019 launched Sherrock as a household name and the crowds will want to see her get some big wins once again.

They will be right behind her every time she plays and her first walk-on at this year's tournament will be a moment to watch.

She was the first woman ever to hit a nine-darter in a televised competition and what a moment it would be if she could get another at her favourite place to play darts.

Gary Anderson

Nickname: The Flying Scotsman

Walk on Song: ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain

Number of World Championships: 2 (2015, 2016)

Gary Anderson is one of the lucky few who can say he won back-to-back World Darts Championship titles and he is hitting some real form heading into this year's tournament.

Always one to play with his heart on his sleeve, Anderson produces the big moments when up on the oche and this year will be no different.

After contemplating walking away from the game, the Scotsman is back and better than ever and has real confidence that his darting know-how and experience on the big stage could see him go all the way.

Expect some honest interviews too!

Gerwyn Price

Nickname: The Iceman

Walk on Song: ‘Ice Ice Baby’ by Vanilla Ice

Number of World Championships: 1 (2021)

The player the crowds love to hate - if there is anyone who knows how to play under pressure at the Ally Pally it is Gerwyn Price.

A player with sheer talent that oozes class when he throws, Price will take the boos and give it back to the crowd, hitting ton-plus finishes and maximums on the way.

2023 saw the Iceman opt to wear ear defenders to block out the noise so there is no telling what he could do this year.

His only World Championship win came in an empty arena during the pandemic. If he does go all the way and get to finally lift that trophy with fans present, he will be taking in all the noise then.

Luke Humphries

Nickname: Cool Hand Luke

Walk on Song: ‘Cake by the Ocean’ by DNCE

Number of World Championships: 0

The man of the moment - Luke Humphries - goes into the Worlds as the one to beat.

Humphries has won three majors this year and it looks like there is no stopping him.

He has come into his own, is reaping the rewards, and is now confident and ready to get the ultimate reward of winning darts' biggest prize.

All the big guns think they can stop him but could this be Cool Hand's time to shine?

Peter Wright

Nickname:  Snakebite

Walk on Song: ‘Don't Stop The Party’ by Pitbull

Number of World Championships: 2 (2020, 2022)

The showman. If there is anyone who knows how to work an Ally Pally crowd it is Peter Wright.

No one knows what to expect from him when he steps out to do his walk-on. We have had him dressed as the Grinch and Santa, so who knows what tricks he has up his sleeve for this year.

Not only will he get the crowds going with his outfits, hairstyles, and bravado when walking onto the stage, if he can get in the zone, he can beat anyone.

Who knows what we will see him wearing if he is in that final in January!

Nathan Aspinall

Nickname:  The Asp

Walk on Song: ‘Mr. Brightside’ by The Killers

Number of World Championships: 0

A quick thrower and a player with real personality, the Asp will want to make the Worlds his own this year.

He can be cool under pressure and find some serious finishes in big moments but he also isn't afraid to laugh at himself when he gets up on the stage.

His walk-on song is always a crowd-pleaser too so expect him to get the crowd firing with that one!

Peter Wright believes that he will be facing Aspinall in the final - let's see if Snakebite is right!

Steve Beaton

Nickname:  The Bronzed Adonis

Walk on Song: ‘Stayin' Alive’ by The Bee Gees

Number of World Championships: 0

It isn't a World Championships if Steve Beaton isn't playing.

Playing in his 31st Worlds this year, the Bronzed Adonis knows all about performing at the Ally Pally and the crowd always loves it if he gets the win.

He has produced some vintage performances in 2023 so we could see Beaton roll back the years throughout December too.

Stephen Bunting

Nickname:  The Bullet

Walk on Song: ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta ft. Sia

Number of World Championships: 0

A lover of karaoke and TikTok, Stephen Bunting has earned himself a raft of fans this year.

Bunting is always willing to join in on the fun when he is up on stage and it won't hurt that he heads into the Worlds in brilliant form.

He will fancy his chances and can put in a huge performance when he needs it.

Smith may be the man from St Helens with the trophy for now, but Bunting will believe he can keep the trophy in the town but get his own name etched on it.

Gabriel Clemens

Nickname:  German Giant

Walk on Song: ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis

Number of World Championships: 0

One of the stories of the 2023 tournament, Gabriel Clemens became the player to beat.

Clemens went on a run all the way to the semi-finals and gained traction as he went, two million viewers tuning in to watch him in Germany.

His walk-on song is a karaoke classic which the fans always enjoy and now they know Clemens can perform on darts' biggest stage, he will have people backing him every time he plays.

Luke Littler

Nickname:  The Nuke

Walk on Song: 'Greenlight' by Pitbull

Number of World Championships: 0

Sixteen years of age but already a name to remember, Luke Littler is the underdog of this year's Worlds but what a story it would be if he could go on a run.

The recently crowned Youth Champion will have everyone watching on with intrigue to see just how well he can do playing in the big leagues.

He hit a nine-darter on the way to winning that title and the crowds will be backing him to hit another at the Ally Pally.