GARY Anderson is now the bookies’ favourite to win the PDC World Darts Championship again, after two big names dropped out of the tournament.

Anderson, a Burnham resident, made light work of Vincent van der Voort on Tuesday night, dropping just one leg en route to a bright and breezy 4-0 victory. The win followed routine victories in the early rounds for the reigning champion.

And after pre-tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen was beaten 4-3 by fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld in an Alexandra Palace epic, 14-time winner Phil Taylor was also a surprise 4-3 loser to Jelle Klaasen last night (Wednesday).

The absence of Taylor and MVG in the last eight draw means Anderson, just ahead of double world champion Adrian Lewis, is the favourite to lift the trophy for a second consecutive year,

Anderson, aged 45, won the tournament for the first time last year, beating Taylor 7-6 in the final.

The man nicknamed ‘The Flying Scotsman’ now faces experienced campaigner James Wade in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.