Yorkshire duo aiming for glory at PDC World Darts Championship

Cullen, from Bradford, is the 16th seed and hoping to get past the second round for the first time, at the 11th attempt. After victory in two ranking events this year, he has a bye in round one and will begin his campaign against either Wayne Jones or Ciaran Teehan next Tuesday afternoon.

Huddersfield-based Waites, twice a winner of the rival British Darts Organisation (BDO) world title, is preparing for his debut at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event.

He plays Canadian qualifier Matt Campbell in a first round tie on Saturday with the winner going on to face sixth seed Nathan Aspinall four days later.

Ninety six of the world’s best players will compete for the sport’s biggest prize across 16 days - and 28 sessions - of action.

They will battle for a £500,000 cheque, along with the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy, named in honour of the BBC and Sky darts commentator who was based for much of his life in Pudsey and died in Harrogate eight years ago, aged 72.

Scotland’s Peter Wright, the defending champion following his shock victory over world number one Michael Van Gerwen 11 months ago, reckons the pressure will be off when he takes to the stage tonight.

“I’ve already accomplished my dream,” Wright said of his prospects for a second successive championship.

“It’s the other guys who have never won it, the pressure is on them.

“I’ve done it, so it doesn’t matter what happens now - that moment will never be taken away from me.”

Wright begins his quest against either Steve West or Amit Gilitwala, who meet in the tournament’s opening match this evening.

Organisers had hoped to admit 1,000 fans to each session, but the tournament will now be played behind closed doors from tomorrow until at least Wednesday, December 23, following the government’s decision to place London in tier three of coronavirus restrictions.

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