I don't know how many darts fans there are here, but I'm certainly a big fan, and this is a timeline that I've been looking forward to write.
January 4th 2004:
After around three hours of play, ten-times world champion Phil Taylor and the relatively surprise finalist Kevin Painter are locked at 6 sets all and 5 legs all. The scene is now set for a nail-biting sudden death final leg.
Sid Waddell: And here we have Taylor throwing for the bullseye first. He looks as nervous as Winston Churchill did that time when the barman told him that he wasn't sure if they had any ale left in the cellar.
Dave Lanning: And that's the 25. So now Painter is forced to at least match it....and he's hit the bullseye. So now begins arguably the most significant leg we have ever seen here at the Circus Tavern.
Freddie Williams (Referee): Eleventh and final leg. Kevin to throw first. Game On.
Sid Waddell: And that first dart has landed nicely at the top of the treble 20 bed....that's just below....and that's a great understacker on the first dart.
140 ---- 361-501
Dave Lanning: And that's way below the treble 20 bed....oh deary me that's in the treble one....and that's a great last dart.
83 ---- 361-418
Dave Lanning: A lovely first dart....a lovely second dart....and a lovely third dart!
180 ---- 181-418
Sid Waddell: Anything other than three big trebles now, and "The Power" will be in big trouble. That's a lovely dart in the middle of the red bit....and that's a great cover shot on the 19s....and another brilliant cover shot.
174 ---- 181-244
Dave Lanning: So now, Painter needs at least a score of hundred here....that's a poor first dart, in the single five....let's a single 20, so now I think he'll go for cover....and that's a 25. So a let off for Taylor.
50 ---- 131-244
Sid Waddell: So, a ton-forty or more here would ideal for "The Power". A perfect first dart....a perfect second....and a sloppy third.
140 ---- 131-104
Freddie Williams: Kevin you require 131.
Dave Lanning: Yes, that's treble 20, oooooohhhh, so close to the treble 13....and a single 18 to leave double top if he comes back to the board.
91 ---- 40-104
Freddie Williams: Phil you require 104.
Sid Waddell: Quite possible the most important throw of Taylor's career so far....that's just below the treble 20 bed....and let's a perfect understacker so double 12 for the title!!!!!....ON THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
80 ---- 40-24
Freddie Williams: Kevin you require 40.
Dave Lanning: He steadies himself....takes his time....AND KEVIN PAINTER IS THE NEW CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!!!
A few minutes later....
Dave Clark (Sky Sports Presenter): Kevin, what can you say about that?
Kevin Painter: Errrrr....well, to be honest, it hasn't sunk in yet. That last leg was just....amazing. I thought I'd had it when Phil hit that treble 20 on the 104.
Dave Clark: And Phil, hard luck.
Phil Taylor: Thanks. I can't take anything away from Kevin. He held his nerve and I didn't. Out of all the world finals I've played....I would probably rank this as the best final. Now, I'll get back on the practice board, and prepare for Bolton, which is coming up in June.
Dave Clark: Thank you to both of you. As Phil implied, the next darts on Sky Sports will be the UK Open in Bolton. But for now, the star of the darting moment is Kevin Painter. See you soon.
(Kevin Painter holds the World Championship trophy in the air, and a closing montage is played.)