THE unlikely hero of the World Darts Championships told a live BBC TV audience his stunning rise to fame was due to playing in Morecambe.

Dave Chisnall, who came so close to being crowned BDO World Darts Champion last weekend, plays every Thurs-day for Regent Leisure Park in the Morecambe and District Darts League.

A 40-1 outsider at the start of the tournament, Dave went all the way to the final where two-time World Champion Martin 'Wolfie' Adams edged him out 7-5 in a tense battle.

Dave, who scooped a £30,000 runners-up prize following Sunday's televised match, earlier knocked out reigning World Champ Ted 'The Count' Hankey 5-4 in the quarter-final after coming from 4-1 down.
In an interview on the BBC following the game, 29-year-old Dave said his improvement was down to playing regularly in Morecambe.

He then went on to beat the BDO number one ranked player, Tony 'Silverback' O'Shea, 6-3 in the semi-final at the Lakeside Country Club, Surrey.

'Chizzie' nearly beat Adams too, coming from behind again to level at 4-4 and 5-5, and had chances to take the match to a deciding set before Wolfie's greater experience finally told.

Now delighted friends at Regent Leisure Park hope Dave, who is from St Helens but has family in Morecambe, will be back playing in the local league tomorrow night.

"He might have other commitments now he's a superstar!" laughed Daniel Thornton, manager at Regent Leisure Park.

"Everyone at the World Championships took him to their hearts. He's just a genuine nice guy.

"He's just started playing for us this season. We've had a few complaints from other teams in the league about him playing for us, saying he's a 'ringer'.

"We had a few people in the bar on Sunday cheering him on. It's a pity none of the lads backed him at 40-1, they'd have won some serious money!"

Christine Hughes, captain of the Regent team, said: "The whole team would like to say 'Well done 'Chizzie'!'"

 Story By: The Visitor