Michael van Gerwen walks out of Ally Pally after fighting back tears in emotional live Sky Sports interview

EMOTIONAL Michael van Gerwen was close to tears as he spoke about missing his family on New Year’s Eve as he pursues a fourth world darts title.

Mighty Mike is in the hunt for another Sid Waddell Trophy as he smashed Stephen Bunting 4-0 in the fourth round of the PDC World Darts Championship.

The Dutchman is the first person into the quarter-finals of the 2024 tournament and has yet to drop a set in his three games thus far.

Van Gerwen blew a kiss to the TV cameras when he won at Ally Pally and he says that was for his wife Daphne and their two young children, who are both under the age of six.

The 34-year-old will not go home on Sunday night because he has to play again on Monday and there is simply not enough time to be back with his family.

Van Gerwen, who will remain in London with his manager, almost broke down on the oche as he talked about the sacrifices he has to make to stay at the top of his sport.

As he walked off, he went outside of the North London palace for fresh air, wiping away the tears from his eyes.

He said: “After the game, the kiss was for my family because they have to have another New Year without me again. That was for them.

“Of course, I can do a lot better but we still have a long time to go. I am feeling good, I feel comfortable, I have some lovely people around me.

“Of course, I miss my kids, I missed my wife. That is part of the game.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

“For me now, the most important thing is I have to concentrate on myself on the first of January.

“Nothing can be in my way to disturb that. I know what the feeling is like, I have been in that position before.

“I will have two days off and will be back on January 1. This was my last game of 2023. Amazing.

“It gives you good feelings and good vibes. For me now the most important thing is to look forward to the next one.

“There was definitely fire in this belly. We all knew Stephen Bunting was playing some phenomenal darts.

Who do I want to play next? They will be my first new dessert of New Year

Michael van Gerwen

“You had to show your best game. I think I didn’t play my best game but I did the right things at the right moments.

“That is what you want to do if you want to win games like this. I’m pleased with my performance.”

Van Gerwen, the No.2 seed, will now face either Scott Williams or Australian No.10 seed Damon Heta over the best of nine sets.

The Green Machine said: “Who do I want to play next? They will be my first new dessert of New Year.

“That would be great. Having the crowd and people behind me only gives me a lot of energy.”

Meanwhile, Michael Smith fell 48 hours shy of finishing the year as world No.1 as he lost his grip on the world title.

Vulnerable Bully Boy, 33, was humbled 4-0 by pal Chris Dobey in a bruising fourth-round clash.

Almost 12 months on from celebrating that perfect leg in the 7-4 final win over Van Gerwen, the St Helens thrower was unable to end 2023 still in the competition.

The last person to defend the Sid Waddell Trophy was Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson back in 2016.

The provisional number one spot goes to Van Gerwen after he battered Bunting.

But Mighty Mike could be eclipsed if Luke Humphries ends up as champion on Tuesday January 3, 2024.

To make matters worse for Smith, he was required to give a urine sample as soon as he came off the stage for drug testers.

Dobey, 33, took out checkouts of 130, 102 and 100, and he said: “Michael missed a lot of doubles and he let me in.

“I didn’t feel too good up there tonight, I was a bit nervy. Playing another good friend, on the biggest stage of them all, him being the world No.1 and world champion.

He has battered me numerous times. It’s just nice to get one back on him

Chris Dobey

“The occasion got to me a little bit. I just kept my calm and battled through.

“My scoring wasn’t there. He was banging in 180s for fun early doors.

“I thought: ‘I have to wake up here.’ He missed a couple of doubles. I think my doubling helped me.

“I’m into another quarterfinal again. It’s a great feeling. Michael and I have had many battles.

“He has battered me numerous times. It’s just nice to get one back on him.

“He will come back from that. He’s bigger and better. Everyone knows it. I am not looking forward to the next time I play him, that’s for sure.”

Dobey, who plays Rob Cross or Jonny Clayton in the last eight on New Year’s Day, will remain in London away from his family.

His partner had their second son this month but Hollywood could bring home a huge cheque for the nappies.

The reigning Masters champion added: “Many people have said to me: ‘Do you think you can win it?’

“I have said, I wouldn’t have turned up here at the start of the competition if I didn’t believe I could win it.

“I am still in. And hey, who knows? To my family, I’ll be here for a lot longer. So I’ll see you in the New Year.”