The Canadian was given little chance of springing a surprise when she became the first woman to compete with the men in a world championship.

But, cheered on by a capacity crowd at the PDC event in Purfleet, she came from two legs down to take the first set, leaving her Geordie opponent shell-shocked.

Stoddart seemed unable to hit the doubles, while King was rattling in 140s and at one stage, the biggest upset in darts history looked well and truly on.

Afterwards, King, the women's world number seven, admitted she had loved every minute of the experience.

"It was great, awesome - different to anything I've played in before," she beamed.

"I was very nervous before I came on as I'd never played Graeme before and didn't know what to expect.

"I decided I would play my own game and see what happened.... when I took the first set I thought 'Oh my God! I've got a set!'."

Tribute

Stoddart admitted: "It was one of the hardest games I've ever had to play.

"I was expected to win, but if I'd lost, that would have been it - I'd never have been able to show my face in St James Park again!"

He paid tribute to his worthy opponent, saying: "I think she's great...to get on that stage and play like that, she's a winner as well."

Stoddart said he played King like he would anybody else, but confessed: "After losing the first set, I tried to phone International Rescue, but it was engaged!"