Duff makes good on prediction in becoming WDF Lakeside Men's World Champion: "I did say that I would be getting crowned it tonight"

Neil Duff is officially a World Champion with 'The Duffman' making good on his early tournament prediction by seeing off Thibault Tricole on Sunday evening.

Duff went down early but came back superbly to seal it and he said the crowd played their part.

"I did say on Tuesday at the first interview that I would be getting crowned it tonight. I made hard work of that, the first five sets I was nowhere but I was still managing to hang onto him. I think he fell apart in the last set and I'm champion of the world," said Duff to Tungsten Tales.

"One of the times I've played Tricole was the Isle of Man Open pre lockdown and I gave him a 3-0 headstart and I need to stop doing this. I need to hit the ground running. He played well but I think he was starting to get into the game too, when he was starting to hit the 180's and he was booming too but I think the crowd were on my side and wanted me there. They put me over the line."

This was seen as well as a birthday present for his daughter and he said there isn't many better.

"Saves me buying her a present doesn't it. She's done okay, there's not many young girls that get their 18th birthday spent like that but she's motivated me all week. We'll get a drink tonight and we'll celebrate that."

In terms of defending it, the plan is to do like Glen Durrant and return to the Lakeside and try and become a two-time World Champion.

"I want to come back if it's here. I want to do what so many guys have done and win it multiple times. I'm good enough but it frees me up now as I can pick and choose what parts of the tour I want to do. I don't have to go chasing points."