VIDEO: "I didn't think I'd be here, I was that close to dying" - From near death to dream Ally Pally debut for James Hurrell

On his PDC World Darts Championship debut, James Hurrell acquitted himself very successfully this Tuesday afternoon. Although a handful of missed matchdarts in the final leg dropped his average below the 90 mark, Hurrell still had more than enough in the tank to comfortably dispatch Jim Long 3-0.

A game expected to be close, it was anything but as Hurrell wasted no time in sealing a clash with Michael van Gerwen. If Hurrell continues this and MvG is off colour as he has been this year, it could be a tough tie for the three time World Champion.

"The whole thing during that game, was playing Michael van Gerwen on Friday," Hurrell reflected in his post-match press conference, admitting the lure of a blockbuster second round tie had been playing on his mind. "That was my goal. I wanted to play him. So yeah, just stay solid and get ready for him now."

There's no fear of the Mighty Dutchman either. "Everyone is beatable," he assesses confidently. "I've just got to be solid and get out like I did there. I just can't wait to play Michael."

Although this was his first appearance at the Ally Pally, Hurrell does have World Championship experience, having previously competed at the Lakeside. "It was amazing. I felt more comfortable there, than I did at Lakeside," he compares of the two iconic darting venues. "Lakeside was just... there's something about that place that I thought: nah. That (Alexandra Palace ed.) though, is amazing."

Hurrell is in his first year as a PDC Tour Card holder and has performed solidly throughout 2024. Before the start of the PDC World Darts Championship, the Englishman sat in 89th in the Order of Merit, but looks set to move upwards now. Things haven't always been quite so positive for 'Hillbilly' though, with a serious illness almost bringing an end to more than just his darting ambitions.

"I just want to say thank you to the surgeon that operated on me. I didn't think I'd be here to be fair, I was that close to dying. So all the hard work pays off," he concludes. "I had a twisted bowel and yeah, I don't really want to go through it to be fair."