The stars of the sport explain why the World Darts Championship is so special.
Michael van Gerwen
World Ranking: 7
Nickname: Mighty Mike
World Championship best: Third round (once)
He says: "I missed the darts to beat Phil Taylor in the first round. It's not the best memory! You want to do your best; it's the biggest tournament of the year!"
Mark Webster
World Ranking: 10
Nickname: Webby
World Championship best: Winner (once)
He says: "My favourite memory of the World Championship is an easy one; it's when I beat Phil Taylor in 2011 on New Year's Day. My celebrations? I just lost control!"
Colin Lloyd
World Ranking: 25
Nickname: Jaws
World Championship best: Semi-Finals (2002)
He says: "If you can't get excited about playing in the World Championship you shouldn't be playing in the game. Christmas isn't Christmas without the World Championship."
Terry Jenkins
World Ranking: 9
Nickname: The Bull
World Championship best: Semi-Finals (2011)
He says: "If I could win the World Championship I think I'd pack up. I think that would be the end of my career because it's all I've ever aimed to do."
Kim Huybrechts
World Ranking: 21
Nickname: The Hurricane
World Championship best: Quarter-Finals (2012)
He says: "When you hear the crowd start singing it's the best feeling in the world; the heart starts pumping and the adrenaline starts flowing."
Gary Anderson
World Ranking: 4
Nickname: The Flying Scotsman
World Championship best: Runner-up (once)
He says: "Losing to Adrian in the final... I had my chance that year and it wasn't to be that year, but fingers crossed it could be this year. It means everything."
Brendan Dolan
World Ranking: 19
Nickname: The History Maker
World Championship best: Last 16 (once)
He says: "To be a World Champion would be amazing, but to play in it is something special, too. You have a big arena, big crowds and a great atmosphere."
Andy Smith
World Ranking: 23
Nickname: The Pie Man
World Championship best: First round (four times)
He says: "It's like a part of Christmas. You look forward to it, it's the biggest tournament in the world and to be part of it means everything."
James Richardson
World Ranking: 50
Nickname: Ruthless
World Championship best: Last 32 (2012)
He says: "Last year when I played Raymond van Barneveld in the first round. People thought I couldn't beat him, but I proved them wrong. It was the highlight of my career."
Adrian Lewis
World Ranking: 2
Nickname: Jackpot
World Championship best: Winner (twice)
He says: "It's everybody's dream to hit a nine-darter in a World Championship Final and to go on and win the tournament. It was a dream come true."
Simon Whitlock
World Ranking: 5
Nickname: The Wizard
World Championship best: Runner-up (twice)
He says: To be World Champion... I can't imagine the feeling. Everybody dreams of that and I dream of it all day. I just can't describe what it would feel like."
Vincent van der Voort
World Ranking: 20
Nickname: The Dutch Destroyer
World Championship best: Quarter-Finals (once)
He says: To have the crowd sing your name and to sing your song is the best feeling. You can't describe it. It's the best feeling in the world."
Kevin Painter
World Ranking:15
Nickname: The Artist
World Championship best: Runner-up (once)
He says: "It's a little bit special. All TV events are special, but this one is the big one and you can't beat the atmosphere there at the Worlds."
John Part
World Ranking: 26
Nickname: Darth Maple
World Championship best: Winner (3 times)
He says: "I feel tense myself - I've gone out a few times in the first round - and that brings the level of darts up a bit - and sometimes down a bit."
Don't miss any live and exclusive darts coverage this festive season. Click here to visit Sky Sports' Festive Calendar.
