Gary Anderson crashes out of World Darts Championship

The former champion surrendered an early lead to suffer an emphatic 4-1 loss to his former protege Chris Dobey.

Two-time champion Gary Anderson, pictured, was knocked out by Chris Dobey (Aaron Chown/PA)

Two-time champion Gary Anderson crashed out of the PDC World Darts Championship but three-time winner Michael Van Gerwen and last year’s runner-up Michael Smith survived scares.

Anderson, who lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2016, surrendered an early lead to suffer an emphatic 4-1 loss to his former protege Chris Dobey.