Dean's seventh heaven in the PDC UK Open

Stewart has used the 'anyone can enter' route to nab a place at the PDC UK Open at will since since making his debut in the competition six years ago.

And 'Wild Dart' has prevailed from a Rileys Sports Bar event for a fifth time, having also come through a Speedy Services qualifier and the UK Open Order of Merit, writes Craig Birch.

The 46-year-old progressed through Wolverhampton's Rileys, on Broad Street in the city centre, for a third time last weekend, having also done so at the company's Worcester and Solihull sites.

Rileys have 32 wildcards available at their darts halls around the country, with only Wolverhampton and London Victoria granted two qualifiers offering two spots in one sitting.

Stewart and Swindon's Mark Cox filled those as winning semi-finalists of the first event at the Black Country venue, which offers another double chance on Saturday February 20.

The unseeded 147-man UK Open, with the other 115 players generated through the Order of Merit, will then take place at Butlins in Minehead, with the ITV4 cameras rolling live.

Stewart has never been past the last 64, meaning he's always missed out on being paired with the top 32, who enter at the third round stage.

Now the builder-by-trade is looking to go one better and assemble a run that could see him share an oche with the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor.

He said: "I've always wanted to play on the main stage there, as all of my games have come on the other boards around the venue.

"You need one of the big names to do that, so I've got to be looking to go further than I have done before. I'll give anyone a game if I'm playing well.

"I've had some bad luck, the first time I played in the UK Open (6-2 defeat to Dylan Duo) I'd pulled a muscle in my shoulder at work a couple of days before. I had no feeling in my fingers!

"I actually played van Gerwen when he was coming through the rankings in the second year. I got battered 4-0!

"The last 64 is best-of-17, which the more inexperienced players can struggle with as they are used to the shorter format. I've gone out to Denis Ovens (9-2) and Adrian Gray (9-5) there.

"I've also got to the second round (lost 5-2 to Michael Mansell) and lost to James Richardson first up (5-2) last year. It would be nice to make some proper progress this time.

"It's nice to be able to relax now and get properly ready for this. I'm a solid player and all I practice on is my finishing. If I get a chance, I tend to take it. That's my game."

Stewart, who plays his county darts for top-flight Warwickshire, is getting serious about the sport again and will join the PDC's 'second division' - the Challenge Tour - this year.

He wants to become a fully-fledged PDC professional, which Cox was before his Pro Tour card expired. Both will try again at Qualifying School next January.

They were the outstanding performers on opposite sides of the draw at Rileys, where 116 entrants signed up to try their luck.

Among them was 2015 BDO Ladies World Championship finalist Fallon Sherrock, who went out 4-1 to Dean Sanders in the last 32 after travelling down from Milton Keynes.

Stewart's rivals were given prior warning of his form when his missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish - in practice!

He went after the perfect leg again against Adam Gallett in the last 16, but wired treble 19 after hitting two 180s and treble 20 in succession, settling for an 11-darter instead.

Four board finals produced the semi-finalists with Stewart, Cox, Carl Sparrow and Mike McFall all moving to within a game of glory.

Stewart eased past McFall 5-1, while Cox needed a last leg decider to push out Sparrow 5-4. McFall and Sparrow will be offered another UK Open opportunity at the site on February 20.

Anybody aged 16 or over (on January 1) can compete in the qualifier, but you cannot enter on the day. The online cut-off is 48 hours before the event at www.rileys.co.uk/tournaments.

You can also apply in person at the venue or over the telephone up until midnight the previous day. Wolverhampton Rileys is on 01902 310 521. Entry is just £6, including a free drink.

There is a strict dress code of trousers, shoes and either a shirt or polo shirt. Those who were a part of the Q School this year cannot enter.