KIRK SHEPHERD is looking forward to splashing some of his newfound wealth on a well-deserved holiday in the sun.

The whirlwind of media interest which built up after the 21-year-old arrowed his way into the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship Darts final subsided this week, leaving the Ramsgate star to take stock of his growing status.

Shepherd’s fairytale march to the final at Alexandra Palace – which saw him eventually defeated 7-2 by Canadian John Part – and the £50,000 runners-up paycheque have turned the 500/1 outsider’s life upside-down.

Shepherd qualifed for the championships through the PDPA qualifiers at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton and followed it up with a series of fine performances in the finals, including defeats of top 10 players Peter Manley and Wayne Mardle, which shot him up almost 120 places in the world rankings into 22nd.

After returning to his mum Debbie and dad Keith’s house in Ramsgate, Kirk – who is also a 2nd dan black belt at karate – took some time out to recuperate after the demands of the previous fortnight.

He said: “I was getting up at 8am and going right through to 3am with the interviews and practice every day for two weeks.

“It is just unbelievable. It has been a rollercoaster. I have just been relaxing, I had a bit of flu during the week but you can’t take anything because you have to get through drug tests. I can’t complain though.”

Shepherd said he had been offered guidance by a number of established pros, adding: “Peter Manley has been a diamond.

“He says I can give him a call if I need anything. You need people like that to learn from. I want to keep my head – plenty of players get into the top 20 and then lose their head.”

He added: “I will stay the same person. I am looking forward to seeing my mates.

“I have got to be sensible with my money, I am going to have a relaxing holiday, somewhere hot – I can pack a free standing board in my suitcase, and then I’ll get a car to get me from A to B, nothing flash, I am not flash.”