Chris Dobey reached the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace (Photo: Getty Images)

Chris Dobey was the star of the podium at Alexandra Palace on Friday evening as he defeated reigning champion Michael Smith 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship.

Hollywood has been in good form throughout the tournament so far, averaging over 102 for the third match in a row and averaging 52% in his doubles to secure the big win.

Smith didn’t play badly at all, averaging over 102 himself, but it was Dobey who provided the big moments, although he said he didn’t feel particularly comfortable during the match.

“To be honest, he missed a lot of doubles and let me in,” Dobey told Sky Sports. “I didn’t feel so good there tonight.” I was a little nervous. When we played against another good friend on the biggest stage of them all, he was world number one and world champion, the event touched us a little bit. I stayed calm and kept fighting.

“My score wasn’t there.” He knocked in the 180 degree change for nice and early doors and I thought, “I have to wake up.” My doubles helped us tonight and I am back in the quarter-finals.

“He abused me several times, it’s nice to get one back. But he’ll bounce back from this. He’s bigger and better than that. I can’t wait to play him next time.”

Now playing either Rob Cross or Jonny Clayton in the last eight, Dobey has no doubts about his ability to make it to the end.

“I told a lot of people that I wouldn’t have showed up here at the start of the match if I didn’t believe I could win the match,” he said. “I’m still working on it, so who knows.”

Michael van Gerwen looks in dangerous form (Photo: Getty Images)

Earlier in the evening, Michael van Gerwen also stormed into the quarter-finals, beating Stephen Bunting 4-0 and leaving an impressive impression.

On the prospect of meeting Scott Williams or Damon Heta in the quarter-finals, the three-time champion said: “That will be my first dessert of the new year.”

The opening match on Friday evening was the final match of the third round and Gary Anderson looked good in a 4-1 win over Croatia’s Boris Krcmar.

The Flying Scotsman will face Gerwyn Price’s conqueror Brendan Dolan in the round of 16.