Jamie Hughes is aiming to match Glen Durrant

Hughes was a scalp of the organisation's man of the moment as he reached the semi-finals for the second year running,

His best friend beat him 6-1 in sets at Lakeside last Saturday and then claimed his first world title with a 7-3 win over Danny Noppert on Sunday.

The BDO No 1 showed why he was the top seed and is staying put, after the PDC declined to offer their rivals' new boss an automatic Pro Tour card.

Hughes was another who has opted not to have a go at the PDC's Qualifying School, which started for four days at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan today.

'Yozza' also proved his ranking correct at the worlds, the fourth seed reaching the last four, and wants to ultimately take Durrant's crown.

The Black Country thrower now needs to arrest a nine-game losing streak to 'Duzza' in competitive darts, last beating him at the 2014 Antwerp Open.

The 30-year-old felt hard done to by the harsh manner of his exit, losing with his highest tournament average of 96.93 to his opponent's 96.27.

The two shared 13 maximums, with Hughes landing six 180s although he only forced a deciding leg in one other set apart from the one where he prevailed. Durrant also hit a 170 finish.

Hughes said: "I think the scoreline flattered Glen, to be honest, and I'll be working on my game now to make sure I give him a much harder game next time.

"The better man won, but I missed crucial darts at doubles and a lot of them would have prolonged sets. That's why I am where I am and he is where is.

"I'm happy for him, he's a good mate and I know how hard he's worked to get to the top, because I've been there for most of it grafting away with him!

"I've got to put up with him for, at least, another 12 months now so I've got to get my head back on and improve myself.

"He became an England international and made it to Lakeside a year before me, so maybe it will be my time when the 2018 World Championship rolls around."

Hughes made his Lakeside debut in 2015, beating Michel van der Horst 3-1 before a 4-1 defeat to Durrant in the second round.

He returned as the fourth seed in 2016, but failed to hit the heights in victories over Ross Montgomery (3-0) and Madars Razma (4-1).

His only 90-plus average came in a 5-1 quarter-final success over Wesley Harms, before losing 6-1 to Scott Waites in the semis.

This time, his tally only dipped below 90 on one occasion and it was still enough to beat Jim Williams 4-1 in the last 16, having opened with a 3-1 success over Martin Atkins.

A thrilling quarters tie against Martin Adams, where he came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to prevail 5-4 in the last leg of a deciding set, ensured the Durrant clash.

He even threatened a nine-dart finish against Adams in the fourth set after two 180s, but Lakeside still awaits a perfect leg 27 years on from when Paul Lim achieved it in 1990.

Hughes said: "I feel like I've made progress, but now I want to get to a point where I'm playing consistently at a high level.

"I hit a fair few 180s, but there was also some 59s and 61s in there. I need to cut the slack darts out and be dominating the tons on that sort of stage.

"I had one bad game (against Williams). My averages are getting better, I'm gaining more experience and getting comfortable up there. It all bodes well for the future."