WHILE the world's top darts players are in Wolverhampton for the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts, they will be joined on the oche tonight by some famous celebrity names for a special event.
The PartyPoker.com Pro-Celebrity Darts will see eight celebrities - including Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell, cricket star Phil Tufnell and England rugby ace Mike TIndall - paired with the likes of Phil "The Power" Taylor on stage at the Wolves Civic.
The knockout event will be the curtain-raiser to the big-money Grand Slam of Darts, to be held over nine days from Saturday, but sees the celebrities looking to make their mark.
Former England footballer Neil Ruddock, who partners Phil Taylor, has been practising with PDC professional Adrian Gray, while Le Vell has been practising in the Rover's Return on the set of Coronation Street in between filming for his role as Kevin Webster.
Boxer Barry McGuigan, six-time World Snooker champion Steve Davis, leading poker player David "Devilfish" Ulliott and three-time Olympic javelin Steve Backley complete the field of celebrities looking to take home an £8,000 first prize.
"I have had some experience of playing on stage in front of the TV cameras and a big crowd but think this will be a bit more nerve-wracking - especially as we are playing for money this time," said Le Vell.
Gloucester and England rugby star Tindall added: "I've played against Phil Taylor a couple of times in exhibitions but this will be totally different and it will be a brilliant experience."
McGuigan, the former WBA World Featherweight champion, said: "I've spent hours practising in my cellar recently and can't wait to get up onto stage now. It will be a great night."
Taylor and Ruddock meet Davis and Women's World Champion darts player Anastasia Dobromyslova, while McGuigan partners PDC World Champion John Part against Le Vell and Wayne "Hawaii 501" Mardle.
Tufnell is teamed with five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, Tindall links up with Wales' BDO World Champion Mark Webster, while Peter "One Dart" Manley and "Devilfish" take on world number three James Wade and Backley.
The action begins at 7pm at the Wolves Civic, for tickets contact 0870 320 2000.
PartyPoker.com Pro-Celebrity Darts Order of Play
Quarter-Finals
John Part & Barry McGuigan v Wayne Mardle & Michael Le Vell
Phil Taylor & Neil Ruddock v Anastasia Dobromyslova & Steve Davis
James Wade & Steve Backley v Peter Manley & David Ulliott
Raymond van Barneveld & Phil Tufnell v Mark Webster & Mike Tindall
Semi-Finals
Part & McGuigan/Mardle & Le Vell v Taylor & Ruddock/Dobromyslova & Davis
Wade & Backley/Manley & Ulliott v van Barneveld & Tufnell/Webster & Tindall
Followed by, Final
All games the best of five legs of 501, with the celebrity throwing first.