Luke Littler lost a nail-biting World Darts Championship final to Luke Humphries as the 16-year-old's fairytale run came to an end on the biggest stage.
The teenage sensation was the overriding fan-favourite inside Alexandra Palace as the finalists were introduced onto the stage.
There was even a patter of boos aimed at Humphries when his name was announced, although they soon disappeared when he walked onto the stage with Littler.
Littler initially struggled in the opening set as Humphries, who became the new world No 1 with his semi-final win, raced to an early lead.
Luke Humphries proved too much for Luke Littler
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But the teenager quickly settled into his rhythm to get the place bouncing in the very next set with 142 and 120 checkouts in successive legs to level the match.
Some costly errors from both players in the next two sets kept the match level at 2-2 before Littler took his first lead of the final in the fifth.
Humphries was at risk of crumbling in the sixth when Littler became the first player to win a set 3-0 after the 28-year-old saw two of his darts bounce out of the triple 60.
The first Big Fish finish of the final saw Humphries immediately bounce back though to prove that he won't go away without a fight with both players understanding the importance of the seventh set.
Littler had the darts for the set and left himself with a 112 finish, only to miss double-two as Humphries finished on double-14 to level the final at 4-4.
There was nothing to separate the two with every small error being punished by the other.
But it was Humphries' turn to take control of the match from that point on as hit back-to-back 108 checkouts to break throw in the ninth set and take the lead.
Littler was in a hole that he was struggling to get out of as Humphries won his fourth consecutive set to put him within three legs of becoming world champion.
Luke Littler gave Luke Humphries a fright
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Littler made Humphries work for it as the 11th set went all the way to a decider.
Humphries' super talents were almost his own downfall at the end when he hit two bullseyes with match darts to give Littler a chance to break throw and force another set.
But the 16-year-old was unable to punish his opponent, who then hit double-eight to become world champion and win the £500,000 prize.
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Littler now faces a wait to see whether he will be picked to play in the Darts Premier League for 2024.
The PDC are set to announce the eight-person list on Thursday at 4pm BST with reports suggesting Littler will be included.
