Live | Netherlands' Gian van Veen celebrates during his match against Scotland's Gary Anderson: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Netherlands’ Gian van Veen celebrates during his match against Scotland’s Gary Anderson: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Scotland's Gary Anderson ahead of his match against Netherlands' Gian van Veen: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Scotland’s Gary Anderson ahead of his match against Netherlands’ Gian van Veen: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Luke Littler (left) during his match against Ryan Searle do battle at Alexandra Palace: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Luke Littler (left) during his match against Ryan Searle do battle at Alexandra Palace: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Luke Littler will aim to make his third successive World Darts Championship final when he takes on Ryan Searle at the Alexandra Palace

Luke Littler will aim to make his third successive World Darts Championship final when he takes on Ryan Searle at the Alexandra Palace

Luke Littler beat the in-form Ryan Searle 6-1 with a sensational performance in the first of the semi-finals at the World Darts Championship.

Defending champion Littler posted a stunning average of 105.35 and was seven darts into a perfect nine-darter at one point in a powerful performance.

“This is crazy. A few boos, a few cheers but it’s been a good crowd,” said Littler after his win. “Big shout out to Ryan. He’s done amazing this tournament. He can be proud.”

The second semi-final was an epic battle Scottish veteran and two-time champion Gary Anderson took on 23-year-old Dutch ace Gian van Veen in a match that oozed quality throughout.

Both players averaged over 102 and both took out a 170 finish in a contest that included a stunning 25 180s.

“Something Gian van Veen would’ve been dreaming about since he was a boy,” declared Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle.

“An absolute worldy of a game, and it sets up a mouth-watering game against Luke Littler in the final.”

Van Veen also gave his verdict as he said: “To win this kind of game, Gary threw everything at me. His finishing and scoring was great.

“I withstood it. Of course, the crowd was a bit against me but it’s fair play because Gary is such a fantastic human-being, such a fantastic darts player. I’m so happy.”

Victory for Littler and Van Veen has guaranteed them at least £400,000 of prize money and the winner of the final will receive £1,000,000.

This is how it happened in our liveblog.

Luke Littler 6-1 Ryan Searle 
Gary Anderson 3-6 Gian van Veen

Watch as Gian van Veen seals his spot in the World final

GIAN VAN VEEN IS THROUGH TO THE FINALDouble 16 it is and the Dutchman is through to the World final to face Luke Littler!*(3) Gary Anderson 2-2 Gian van Veen (5)Anderson gets punished after missing bull and van Veen takes out his trusty double 8 for a break and now he throws for the match.(3) Gary Anderson 2-1 Gian van Veen (5)*Anderson takes out 121 on the bull to break the van Veen throw!*(3) Gary Anderson 1-1 Gian van Veen (5)Anderson holds throw to level in the set.(3) Gary Anderson 0-1 Gian van Veen (5)*Anderson declines the bull and and van Veen nails double 10 to hold throw.
   Gary Anderson 3-5 Gian van Veen – WOW! van Veen takes the set against the throwYoung man that is impressive! double tops breaks Anderson’s throw and go one set from the World Championship final. *(3) Gary Anderson 2-2 Gian van Veen (4)van Veen misses four darts for set and he throws for the set. *(3) Gary Anderson 1-2 Gian van Veen (4)
Anderson nails double 8 to hold throw. van Veen throws for the set.
 (3) Gary Anderson 0-2 Gian van Veen (4)*Anderson misses a dart to break back and van Veen punishes with 52 on double 16 to consolidate his break.*(3) Gary Anderson 0-1 Gian van Veen (4) 

van Veen pins double 8 to break the Anderson throw.

Gary Anderson 3-4 Gian van Veen – Anderson pulls a set back in brilliant fashionAnother tops and Anderson reduces the arrears further by pinning another tops to win his second set in-a-row.

What a game!

 *(2) Gary Anderson 2-2 Gian van Veen (4) 

Anderson nails double one to hold his throw! 

van Veen throws for the set. So important!

 (2) Gary Anderson 1-2 Gian van Veen (4)*Anderson misses two for a break of throw and van Veen punishes to nail tops and hold throw.
 *(2) Gary Anderson 1-1 Gian van Veen (4)Anderson levels in the seventh set.*(2) Gary Anderson 0-1 Gian van Veen (4)Another double 16 to hold throw for van Veen.Gary Anderson 2-4 Gian van Veen – ANDERSON NAILS BULL TO REDUCE THE ARREARS81 on the bull for the Flying Scotsman!!*(1) Gary Anderson 2-1 Gian van Veen (4)Anderson responds with another hold of throw. (1) Gary Anderson 1-1 Gian van Veen (4)*van Veen responds with a hold of his own on double 8