Gillingham amateur Conan Whitehead takes to the stage during the opening night of the UK Darts Open on Thursday.

The four-day event is billed as the “FA Cup of darts” as the likes of Whitehead mix with top professional such as Phil Taylor and James Wade.

The 27-year-old came through the recent Speedy Services Qualifiers at London’s Alexandra Palace and will now face television cameras and a huge crowd at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

Whitehead meets Dutch professional Roland Scholten in the first round, a match set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

“I’m just hoping to get through that first game,” said the former Kent youth team player who practices at the Walnut Tree in Gillingham, as well as at home.

“I’ve been managing to do three or four hours of training every day in the build-up to the tournament.

“I hope to impress so that I can get a sponsor and then go full-time myself.”