Darts star Chris Dobey took to social media to apologise for his performance following a 's*** show' against Nathan Aspinall.

The Northumberland-born star slipped to a disappointing 6-1 defeat during a match that had at one point looked as if it might've ended in a whitewash.

Aspinall, who has struggled for form in the second half of the year, had been 4-0 up before Dobey registered his first leg of the first-to-six contest.

The Asp finished the job by winning the next two legs, averaging over 90 and outscoring his opponent in every department.

Dobey was less than impressed with his performance though, not least because he entered the tournament as the No.1 seed.

Posting on X, the world No.15 said: "That was an absolute shit show tonight I apologise to everyone for making you sit through that I was abysmal.

"Need to seriously get my act together before the worlds I dunno what’s happened to me I just can’t seem to play on stage."

It's been a chastening couple of months for the Englishman, who was also knocked out of both the European Championship and World Grand Prix in the opening round.

Even worse than that, the former World Championship quarter-finalist didn't even qualify for this month's Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.

Speaking before this weekend's Players Championship Finals, Dobey had said: “Missing out on the Grand Slam did hurt, because I feel like I deserved to be in it."

The 34-year-old will now face a nervous wait ahead of next month's Worlds at the Alexandra Palace, with Dobey entering the tournament starved of confidence and in dismal form.

But he won't be the only big-name darts star heading to north London struggling for form, with five former world champions knocked out on opening night.

The biggest scalp was Michael van Gerwen, who was sensationally beaten 6-1 by world No.59 Ian White.

It was a result that somewhat flattered the underdog though, considering Van Gerwen registered more 180s and 140+ visits than his opponent.

Elsewhere, Gary Anderson surrendered a 5-3 lead against Ryan Meikle, while Thibault Tricole got the better of Gerwyn Price, with Peter Wright knocked out by Daryl Gurney.

There were fewer surprises around the departure of Rob Cross, given he was put to the sword by player of the moment Luke Littler.

The teenage sensation picked up his astonishing form from the Grand Slam with a bullish 6-0 triumph over Cross.