It came in the fifth leg of his last-eight showdown with Chris Mason at the Stan James World Matchplay Championship.

The world champion was cool and composed as he rattled in two 180s before rounding the job off with a treble 20, treble 19 and double 12.

His magnificent effort sent the Winter Gardens crowd into raptures as Taylor finally accomplished the feat.

It was the first time since Paul Lim in 1991 that the nine-darter had been hit on TV, and the first on live television.

Taylor went on to beat Mason 16-7 in an awesome display.

Mason played his part in a thrilling match with a three-dart average of almost three figures but Taylor's was an incredible 112.17.

"I was a bit tearful at the end but I had to dig in," said Taylor.

"Once I'd done the nine-darter it was a bit off-putting to then win the match.

"When everyone's waving betting slips at you, it takes you a few legs to think that this fella could knock me out of the competition if I'm not careful."

Taylor was relieved to have finally hit a nine-darter after going close before.

"I've missed it that many times that people think I'm going to miss anyway," admitted Taylor.

"So I just told myself to relax, let my shoulders flow nice and steady.

"Once the treble 20 went in that was easy but then after the treble 19, every drop of blood rushed to my feet.

"I just thought throw the thing as fast as you can, and it was right in the middle of the double."