ROB CROSS' run to the William Hill World Darts Championship final concludes his incredible debut year on the PDC circuit - here we look at his remarkable rise.
The former electrician - pictured with son Leyton - made his name as a Rileys Amateur Qualifier at the 2016 Coral UK Open, where he won through to face Michael van Gerwen at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
He subsequently joined the second-tier PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour, with three tournament wins and a nine-dart finish helping him to top the 2016 Order of Merit and earn a PDC Tour Card.
Cross adapted superbly to live on the ProTour, and claimed four Players Championship wins during the season alongside making a rapid adaptation to the stage in both the European Tour and televised events.
Here, we chart the rise of the hottest property in darts as he prepares to challenge for the William Hill World Darts Championship title against Phil Taylor...
February 2016 - wins Rileys Amateur Qualifier at Rileys Norwich club to secure Coral UK Open place as one of 32 amateur players alongside 96 professionals. Had lost at Rileys South Benfleet in a qualifier the previous week.
March 2016 - defeats Ken MacNeil (6-3), Wes Newton (6-4) and Jeffrey de Graaf (9-8) to reach fourth round (last 32) of Coral UK Open Finals in Minehead, where he loses 9-5 to Michael van Gerwen, who sandwiched a nine-dart finish between two 170 checkouts.
March 2016 - joins PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour, reaching final in his first event.
June 2016 - wins first Challenge Tour event.
September 2016 - wins two Challenge Tour events, hitting a nine-darter in one. Tops final 2016 Challenge Tour Order of Merit to secure PDC Tour Card for 2017/2018.
February 2017 - makes PDC ProTour debut in Coral UK Open Qualifier One in Wigan, defeating Nigel Pinchen and Simon Whitlock before losing to Peter Hudson, earning £250 prize money.
March 2017 - reaches fifth round (last 16) of Coral UK Open Finals in Minehead, losing out 10-6 to Peter Wright.
March 2017 - wins Players Championship Three in Barnsley, defeating Mervyn King 6-5 in final.
April 2017 - quarter-finalist on European Tour debut, losing out to Benito van de Pas.
May 2017 - wins Players Championship 12 in Milton Keynes, defeating Ian White 6-5 in final.
July 2017 - defeats Michael van Gerwen on his way to another European Tour quarter-final in Germany.
September 2017 - reaches European Tour final in Germany, losing to Michael van Gerwen.
September 2017 - wins Players Championship 19 in Dublin, defeating Peter Wright 6-2 in final.
October 2017 - wins Players Championship 21 in Barnsley, defeating Adrian Lewis 6-3 in final.
October 2017 - reaches European Tour final in Germany, losing to Michael van Gerwen.
October 2017 - reaches European Championship final in Belgium, losing 11-7 to Michael van Gerwen.
November 2017 - quarter-finalist on debut in Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals and bwin Grand Slam of Darts.
November 2017 - semi-finalist in Mr Green Sport Players Championship Finals, losing to Jonny Clayton. Moves up to 20th in PDC Order of Merit.
December 2017 - reaches William Hill World Darts Championship final on Alexandra Palace.