It's that time of year- have you been watching the darts?

Adrian Lewis, (left) is congratulated by Raymond van Barneveld, (right) as they walk off after his 9 dart finish to win the opening set during the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.

Picture: John Walton/PA Wire.

A sure sign that Christmas is over and the New Year is here - the PDC World Darts Championship is underway.

The annual darts extravaganza is underway at the Alexandra Palace in London, or The Ally Pally as it fondly known to fans.

The first round of the competition is held just before Christmas, but it really kicks into gear afterwards. The second and third rounds were on from the December 27 until last night, and will pick up again with the first of the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.

In his third round match against Raymond van Barneveld last night Adrian Lewis gave us a spectacular nine-dart finish - the quickest darts finish possible.

It wasn’t enough to see him through to the quarter-finals though, van Barneveld won the match 4-3 to put him through to the final eight.

The World Championships is about a lot more than just the darts though, with fans attending in fancy dress and ready to party.

Went to the darts in fancy dress only to get told we were in a section where it was banned! Gutted. Good effort tho. pic.twitter.com/emLJiW5VXZ

— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) December 27, 2014

Comedian Jack Whitehall is just one of many celebrities who pop up to share their love of the darts -

Tottenham midfielder @andros_townsend with BT Sport pundit @RobbieSavage8 at the Darts this evening. #THFC pic.twitter.com/isctns5NcI

— Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) December 28, 2014

Andros spotted at the darts! And so was his girlfriend... http://t.co/f28ymvrvMf pic.twitter.com/NC6LcMQiZ2

— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) December 24, 2014

This year’s tournament even got the royal seal of approval.

Bloke's Night Out! #PrinceHarry enjoys a spirited game of darts in #London. More photos: http://t.co/PUSsjL1azY pic.twitter.com/O0STEdjOg8

— The DISHH (@TheDishh) December 30, 2014

And of course no televised event would be complete without a GAA jersey.

Carlow man spotted at the darts #GAAOnTour @OfficialPDC pic.twitter.com/KcYFkeang9

— Pundit Arena (@PunditArena) December 30, 2014

The event also has it’s own anthem, with fans jumping around to Planet Funk’s ‘Chase the Sun’ at every opportunity.

For years the competition was also synonymous with Sid Waddell’s exuberant commentary, these are just a small sample of the wonderful lines he used over the years.

The late, great Sid Waddell

Picture: Twitter

"If we'd had Phil Taylor at Hastings against the Normans, they'd have gone home."

"He's perspiring like a pudding in a pot."

"When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer … [Eric] Bristow's only 27."

"Look at the man go: it's like trying to stop a water buffalo with a pea-shooter."

"His eyes are bulging like the belly of a hungry chaffinch."

The beloved broadcaster died in 2012 and the trophy for the Darts Championship has since been renamed the Sid Waddell trophy.

Phil Taylor surrounded by signs before the walk on for his match against Kim Huybrechts during the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.

Picture: John Walton/PA Wire.

Fan signs are also a big feature of the tournament. The most popular are shout-outs to family at home and signs supporting teams and players, the more obscure the better.

Watch for our sign at the Darts today on TV! #lovethedarts pic.twitter.com/gMCCsxi6yX

— Jack Bucknall (@JackBucknall) December 30, 2014

Brilliant. Peter Pawlett Baby sign at the darts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/KxQS4WTvRZ

— Dean McBain (@mcbain96) December 29, 2014

So settle back and crack open a beer. The quarter-finals will take up January 1 and 2, the semis are on Saturday and then it all culminates in the grand final on Sunday night.

The perfect way to distract yourself from the dread return to normal life on Monday.