Painter has never won the event

Daventry-based Kevin Painter says he is "quietly confident" of success at this year's PDC World Championship in London's Alexandra Palace.

The Billericay-born 43-year-old, nicknamed 'The Artist', was runner-up in 2004 and is seeded 18 this year.

"My form is all right at the moment but I don't want to say too much," Painter told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We get that with other players and in different sports, and things can then go wrong."

He said: "But I'm quietly confident with the way I'm playing. My preparation has been good so I'm looking forward to it."

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Painter, who will take on Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the first round, thinks the venue is a very special place.

He said: "Alexandra Palace is fantastic. There are four, five, or six thousand people crammed in there and enjoying themselves.

"They're crazy nights but it's a massive stage and any serious darts player would want to be up there."

The tournament gets underway on Thursday with Phil Taylor, who beat Painter 7-6 in the classic 2004 final, chasing his 16th world title.

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