World Darts Championship 2025 – LIVE updates

Emotional Cameron Menzies shed his Ally Pally tears because he was battling for ill dad Ricky.

And supportive hero Ally McCoist got involved to try and lift the stressed Scot's spirits as he fought to boost his father and also keep alive his Worlds dream.

Manager Tommy Gilmour has revealed the truth after Menzies broke down on-stage during his defeat to Leonard Gates. The overwhelmed Ayrshire ace was distraught during the final two legs of his loss during a harrowing finale.

Menzies had been hounded by the London crowd throughout the match, but it was family matters and not the baying mob that brought emotions to a head. Just minutes after the defeat, the player posted a picture of Ricky in hospital saying “this is all”.

Gilmour has now revealed the facts, the turmoil Menzies has been through after his dad underwent an operation and the assistance of McCoist during a tough time.

Afternoon Session 12.30pm

James Hurrell v Jim Long (R1)

Kevin Doets v Noa-Lynn van Leuven (R1)

Ryan Joyce v Darius Labanauskas (R1)

Mike De Decker v Woodhouse/Ilagan (R2)

Evening Session 7pm

Jeffrey de Graaf v Rashad Sweeting (R1)

Ricardo Pietreczko v Xiaochen Zong (R1)

Ryan Meikle v Fallon Sherrock (R1)

Peter Wright v Wesley Plaisier (R2)

......but Record Sport will be back at the Palace for day three.

The Iceman has struggled in recent times, but he looked far more like his old self as he stormed beyond the Irishman. A convincing 3-0 win

Welsh wizard now 2-0 up and in control against Barry

The American said: "I told him I hope you just block it out, just play the game. Don’t get involved with the negativity that somebody’s cheering against you. Just stay focused on what you are doing.

“I hope I said some things to him that will help him in his game. Personally as in life also.

“He has to figure out what it is would help. If he needs more help. Hopefully I said something that will build his confidence and he’ll keep his game going."

The Iceman ignores flak from the crowd as he takes the first set against Keane Barry

The former World champion spoke on Menzies and said: “It’s just not happening on the stage, he’s full of emotion. It’s something that he’s going to have to workout and find a solution why he doesn’t play as well on the stage as on the floor. He’s extremely talented. But at the end it was a little worrying. He was getting upset, whether the heat was getting to him. It was a pretty bizarre ending.”

Crushed Cameron Menzies broke down in floods of tears as he was sent crashing out of the Paddy Power World Championships.

The Scottish star suffered and was badly distressed on the stage as he was sent spinning out of the tournament by American Leonard Gates.

Emotions got the better of Menzies in the latter stages of the contest and was crying during the final two legs of the match.

The visibly-shaken Ayrshire star had been hounded through the match by the Alexandra Palace crowd and, as he struggled towards the end, it took a heavy toll.

Menzies wept openly at the finish in a heartbreaking finale which was tough to watch for any fair-minded fan in the crowd and millions on TV.

The 35-year-old has spoken with honesty about trying to keep emotions in check on the big stages, but it was all too much.

Gates was delighted to win, but had sympathy for his rival as he said: “I was definitely aware of it. But at the same time I want my opponent to play their best against me, just so I can see what I can do against them.

“Like I told him, use the energy. Don’t look at that as a negative, look at it as a positive. Play a lot more darts and get better. Keep coming and show the PDC what you can do.”

Menzies didn’t get a break from the torturing crowd as they hammered him during his walk-on and backed the opponent with chants of USA.

As he struggled badly on his doubles, Gates did the opposite.

Time and again the American conjured a a last-dart-in-hand leg success to floor the Scot.

Gates was dancing as he made his way onto the stage, dancing as he won legs and sets and dancing as he sauntered off in victory.

But it was all too much for the crushed Scot as those emotions and tears flowed in the final two legs in a distressing watch.

The American star didn’t gloat in the wake of his win as he sympathised with the struggling Scot.

Gates said: “I was definitely aware of it. But at the same time I want my opponent to play their best against me, just so I can see what I can do against them.

“Like I told him, use the energy. Don’t look at that as a negative, look at it as a positive. Play a lot more darts and get better. Keep coming and show the PDC what you can do.”

Gerwyn Price wil meet Keane Barry in the final match

Tear-strained Cameron Menzies was left shattered as he crashed out at the Alexandra Palace.

The Ayrshire was shocked by dancing American veteran Leonard Gates in a major World Championship upset.

Menzies was favourite to see off the 54-year-old. However, the Scot was gunned down by The Soulger.

Menzies could not get going against the Seniors Tour ace and, while he struggled badly on his doubles, Gates did the opposite.

Time and again the American conjured a a last-dart-in-hand leg success to floor the Scot.

Gates was dancing as he made his way onto the stage, dancing as he won legs and sets and dancing as he sauntered off in victory.

But it was all too much for the crushed Scot, who left the stage crying as emotions broke out in the final stages of the game

Tears in the eyes of the Scottish star as he struggles badly. This is not fun to watch

The Queen of the Palace looking for her other half to stage a major fightback here. She, of course, plays Ryan Meikle tomorrow night for the chance to meet Luke Littler in a Saturday night blockbuster.

Gates back in front as he holds his nerve to land a last-dart victory in set three. Menzies laughs behind his opponent, but not in joy. In disbelief

Brilliant recovery from the Scot to level. Huge double four with last dart in hand in the fourth leg sets up the chance to win the set. Massive.

Gates just keeps up the momentum. He's been doing little dances after his finishes and bags a bull to win the first set. Incredible start from The Soulger.

The Scot got hammered with the obligatory "Scotland gets battered everywhere they go" chant to go on stage. He smiled. That would have expected. He probably did not expect to get battered by Gates hitting finishes of 138 and 120 in the first two legs. That didn't make him smile.

The Ayrshire ace is next onto the stage as he faces Leonard Gates

Comfortable win for young talent. Dismissed Ben Robb by a whitewash scoreline averaging over 100. He's capable of doing some damage at this event. Damon Heta next up in the second round.

Celtic stars celebrated their Premier Sports Cup Final with a night at the darts as Cameron Carter Vickers told the nation all about their record-breaking 119 trophies.

Brendan Rodgers’ squad came through an epic Hampden Final to get their hands on the first domestic silverware of the season. It was a quick change of sport for the Hoops heroes just 24 hours after their win over Rangers at the National Stadium Taking in the night two action at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship in London were a number of the Parkhead squad. And they marked their sign with the numbers 119 - to herald they are now one ahead of Rangers on the all-time list.

Cameron Carter Vickers, Liam Scales and Adam Idah are amongst those in attendance watching the action. Also in the group pictured at the Palace were Greg Taylor, who scored a goal in the triumph, Stephen Welsh and Belgian kid Arne Engels. The Celtic squad have no game this midweek after a gruelling period of action both at home and in Europe. Rodgers’ team are next in action when they travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United on Sunday.

Connor Scutt is being tipped for the top by the likes of Gary Anderson and he's showing it here. Smooth start against Ben Robb. Averaging over 95 and 2-0 up. Cruising.

Brilliant work for Robert Owen.. He storms back to stun Niels Zonneveld. Brilliant 121 finish seals a 3-1 win, his first-ever success at the Ally Pally.

Welshman rattles back to square the tie

Plenty of stars at the Alexandra Palace with some of the Celtic squad here to see the matches. Cameron Carter Vickers, Liam Scales and Adam Idah are amongst those in attendance watching the action. Scales and Idah have countryman Keane Barry to cheer for. Carter-Vickers can get behind USA star Leonard Gates when he faces Cameron Menzies.

Zonneveld takes the opening set without dropping a leg. Comfortable.

Robert Owen is determined to take advantage of his second chance at the Ally Pally. Originally he did not qualify, but the suspension of Dom Taylor due to a positive doping test gave him a spot.

On his Ally Pally debut, he got embroiled with the crowd and hasn’t forgotten it as he said: “I’m chilled out. I just get along with it. It’s one of them. They were giving it to me, why not give a bit back? I had a lot of rubbish chucked at me on social media. If you can’t enjoy yourself, what is the point in being here?”

Owen and Zonneveld have warmed up, It’s time to get going.

Zonneveld managed to win his first match at Alexandra Palace last year by beating Darren Webster before falling to Ross Smith, but he’s hoping for more this time as he said: “Maybe I can do some unexpected things at this tournament and I am really looking forward to it. It’s nice I have won on this stage before and I hope this game is also a win.”

The Scot has just been on the screens at the Ally Pally warming up backstage in the Players Room ahead of his tie. Looking relaxed and composed, but can he stay that way on the stage and keep his emotions in check to see off The Soldier.

The Dutch fans at the Palace, and there's plenty of them, had a great afternoon with Wesley Plaiser and Jermaine Wattimena winning their games. Now there's a chance for Zonneveld to complete a hat-trick for the Netherlands.