EMMA PATON stole the show at Alexandra Palace as the World Darts Championship returned from its Christmas break.
The Sky Sports presenter was front and centre of the pre-tournament advertising, including one hilarious “marriage proposal gone wrong” skit made by Paddy Power.
And her popularity among darts fans has certainly not diminished during the tournament.
Paton, 30, was seen back on TV screens in a dazzling black dress which came with some glistening silver flowers.
Taking to social media, fans were loving the look.
One fan said: “Emma Paton. Deary me.”
A second said: “Emma Paton back on the telly today happy days.”
A third added: “Looking absolutely gorgeous!!”
Another said: “Is Emma Paton the best presenter on the old box atm??”
Today’s darts action has seen Damon Heta hit the tournament’s second nine-darter en route to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Luke Woodhouse.
Jonny Clayton and Stephen Bunting also won in their respective games against Daryl Gurney and Madars Razma.
The evening session see Gerwyn Price taking on Joe Cullen, with Peter Wright and Luke Humphries both in action later as well.
Paton made the move into presenting in 2019.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport earlier this year, Paton revealed some of the difficulties of working in front of a raucous darts crowd.
She said: “It is really loud. There are some occasions when it’s just a wall of noise.
“There are times when I actually can’t hear what Wayne Mardle, Mark Webster or John Part are saying. I can’t even hear the director in my ear.
“I just have to hope we are on the same page for running order and not too much has changed.
“Working with Wayne has helped me, he is someone who has always backs me. He’s one of those people who wants people around him to succeed.
“He’s like the Gary Neville of Sky Sports Darts. He’s so engaging and his analysis is second to none and his stories are ridiculous!”
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