Ross Smith says nerves got the better of him after his first-round defeat in the BDO World Championship at the Lakeside Country Club on Sunday.

The 19-year-old, who began playing darts in the Dover Invitation League, lost to playing partner and friend Scott Waites 3-0 on his world championship debut and admitted the occasion, with the cameras and millions watching on television, proved too much.

Smith said: “I’m gutted but I’ll be back next year. It’s hard to play against a friend.

“Nerves got the better of me but now I know what to expect. I need to relax more and I’ll return next year a better player for the experience.

“I had a lot of support from friends and family – I couldn’t ask for more. Losing like that makes me more determined to show just what I can do.”