Michael van Gerwen knocked Callan Rydz out of the World Darts Championship, but his opponent's actions went unnoticed by many.

Callan Rydz responded to fans' brutal chants about his hair ahead of the Newcastle-born thrower facing Michael van Gerwen in the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship

Fan favourite Callan Rydz enhanced his already classy reputation despite losing to three-time champion Michael van Gerwen at the World Darts Championship

Callan Rydz thanked the Alexandra Palace crowd for their support during his victory over Welshman Rob Owen, despite several X-rated chants about his hair. The Newcastle -born star went viral on social media after the Ally Pally wasp appeared to get stuck in his hair during the match, without Rydz noticing as he continued to throw at the board.

BULLISH Michael van Gerwen says the King will return to the Palace this week. In his first afternoon appearance at the Worlds for more than a decade, the Dutch dart deity knocked out superb Callan

Callan Rydz was able to laugh off an X-rated chant about his hair from the World Darts Championship crowd after he came from two sets down to beat Rob Owen 4-3 in the last 16

Michael van Gerwen is still on track for a fourth World Darts Championship after producing one of the best performances of his career to beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in the match of the tournament.

Michael van Gerwen is into the semi-final of the World Darts Championship thanks to a pulsating 5-3 victory over Callan Rydz on New Year’s Day. The two players had shown fantastic form to reach the last eight and there was no slowing down from either of them with a semi-final place on the line.

The two men traded maximums in an enthralling contest before Van Gerwen capitalised on a Rydz miss to take it 5-3.