SOMERSET darts hero Justin Hood’s glorious run at the PDC World Championship came to an end on New Year’s Day.

Going in to the tournament ranked 86th in the world, the Weston-based star defeated the odds and progressed to the quarter finals, where he lost to fellow Somerset resident Gary Anderson.

Hood, nicknamed Happy Feet, is now planning on investing some of his £100,000 winnings from Ally Pally in opening his own Chinese restaurant.

His wife, Jessica, said the restaurant was a long-term dream of Hood’s, who moved to Weston from Street in the spring of 2025.

But sadly, he could not progress at the London venue on Thursday, losing 5-2 to two-time world champion Anderson – who is based in Burnham-on-Sea.

Hood will, however, rise to 50th in the PDC world rankings, and said his success at Ally Pally meant he would be able to compete full-time in 2026.

After the defeat, Hood said he was “devastated”, and added: “Massive well done to Gary. The bloke is amazing on and off the oche. Good luck for the rest of the tournament.”

He thanked his supporters and the crowd, saying “the support was amazing, something I will never forget”.
And, he vowed to “dust myself down and we go again soon”.

Elsewhere in the draw, another Somerset-based slinger – Wellington’s Ryan Searle – did make it through to the semi-finals, after defeating fifth seed Jonny Clayton, 5-2.

Searle will now face reigning champion Luke Littler, with Anderson taking on Gian van Veen this evening (January 2). The darts will be shown on Sky Sports from 7.30pm.

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