Jonny

“I played all right there,” Clayton told Sky Sports. “Total respect to Stephen, he didn’t play his best game but I kept him under pressure at times. I played well.”

Earlier in the evening, Wade found himself 4-1 down to Van Veen, despite dominating almost every leg as poor finishing cost him.

But the Englishman came out with renewed determination after the break and won the next eight legs on the spin to take control.

Although Van Veen closed the gap and finished the match with the better average – 99.24 to 96.35 – and a better checkout percentage, Wade did enough to see it through.

“I thought I’d thrown it away,” the 42-year-old told Sky Sports. “Towards the end, he was coming back and it was God’s gift to me, not my ability [that secured the win].

“I had a very stern word with myself [after the first session], I was disgusted. You do what you need to do.

“I’m lucky he didn’t make the most of his opportunities. But then if I’d made the most of mine, I’d have been 5-0 or 10-0 up. I’m proper buzzing.”

The third and fourth quarter-finals take place at Winter Gardens on Friday evening with world champion Luke Littler facing Andrew Gilding, while Wales’ Gerwyn Price takes on Josh Rock of Northern Ireland.

The Mirror spoke exclusively with Hollyoaks’ Rex Gallagher actor Jonny Labey and Jacob Omari star Ethaniel Davy about the return of Clare Devine, their emotional storyline and what’s ahead

We got the lowdown on Hollyoaks villain Clare Devine from two co-stars working closely with actress Gemma Bissix currently on the Channel 4 soap.

Clare made her big return months ago, as part of a dark trafficking storyline involving other characters and some of the teenagers in the village. Clare’s sister Grace black and half-brother Rex Gallagher were also caught up in the drama, with us soon learning all about Rex’s past and backstory.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Rex actor Jonny Labey praised the move to explore what Rex faced when he was younger, and how it shaped him – leading to him taking a criminal path. Jonny discussed how fans finally saw why he was the way he was, calling him “a product of his environment”.

He added how Rex’s “unexpected” romance with Ste Hay changed things, and gave Rex something to push for. That said, Jonny loves the drama his role brings, and was thrilled to get to work with co-star Gemma as she made her comeback.

READ MORE: Hollyoaks star hints at unexpected twist for Tom amid Clare and Grace drama

He wasn’t the only one as newcomer Ethaniel Davy, whose character Jacob Omari took centre stage in the sad trafficking plot, also shared how much he loved working with the soap icon. Jonny shared: “Another long-lost sister! It’s honestly the best working with Gemma.

“She is such a joy, she brings such a bouncy energy to set. She gets stuck in to storylines, she holds no prisoners, she’s just a ruthless and fantastic character. It really brings in that female power character to the show.”

Ethaniel agreed: “Gemma is so lovely. Clare can be sympathetic as well though. She’s not just pure evil, she has a soft side and a bit of a backstory, and she has another side to her. Sometimes she’s got the wrong intentions but for the right reasons.”

Actor Ethaniel was thrilled to rejoin the show recently, having first joined earlier in the year. He told us: “It’s definitely a new experience for me. It’s lovely, I’ve enjoyed it.

“It’s great and I am very grateful. We’ve just got to see how the storyline goes!” On the fans backing his character, he went on: “It was lovely because to get the role was a big thing, and then it was brilliant to keep going after a few months of not working.

“I got called back, and so getting good feedback was great to hear.” He also praised co-star Jonny for “showing him the ropes” and looking after him on set.

As for Jonny, he welcomed the changes to his character as fans have gotten to see a different side to him. He told us: “You have got this thing with Rex where he is a product of his environment and unfortunately, even since doing the storyline, the sex trafficking storyline, it’s way more common than people realise.

“It seems like such a wild storyline but it’s something that affects so many people in the UK, specifically the younger generation. It’s that passed-on trauma. I’m glad we’ve got to see these sides to Rex now.

“We can understand where it all comes form because when I first joined it was six months of arguments, fights and him being a villain. It was cool but he’s got a nice undertone now. The love interest with Ste has taken him by surprise.

“But it has shown him there is a way out from that life. I think that roundedness now is really beautiful to play. He still doesn’t back down easy and he’s not a push-around though. It is just a dream role honestly, to play a character like that. I have always wanted to play a troubled character with depth.”

His comments about Ste, and Rex turning his life around could be a hint at what’s ahead with a happy future. But with Rex currently in prison, will he find a way back to the village?

Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4’s streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

JONNY EVANS is reportedly on the verge of securing a new job with Manchester United following his retirement.

The 37-year-old called time on his playing career last month and made his final competitive appearance for United on the last day of the Premier League season.

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Although Evans will no longer have an influence on the pitch, he is now expected to be given a new role behind the scenes.

The Athletic reports that Man Utd want to retain the ex-defender following the expiry of his contract.

Evans’ new staff role will see him put in charge of loan deals for emerging talents.

The United hierarchy were impressed with his influence off the pitch during his time as a player.

He regularly offered advice to young players and taught them about United’s heritage.

Evans also spoke passionately about staff members losing their jobs in the first round of redundancies last summer during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

The former Northern Ireland international made 241 appearances for Man Utd across two spells.

He first spent 11 years at the club between 2004 and 2015 before joining West Brom.

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Evans returned to Old Trafford in a free transfer two years ago and made 43 appearances.

Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof were among the players to leave Man Utd at the end of the season after being denied new contracts.

Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been offered a one-year extension.

In every round of the competition, the match-ups are played as one-off doubles matches, and Clayton believes his and Price’s rugby experiences gives them an edge.

“We go out as a team, and I think the rugby background helps,” said Clayton.

“We’ve played in team games before, and I know rugby is completely different to darts, but it is the team mentality.

“We believe in each other and you have to believe in your team-mate.”

While both Clayton and Price have Welsh aspects to their standard darts jersey, ‘The Ferret’ says there is something special about representing the country at the World Cup.

“There’s no better feeling than representing Wales,” added Clayton.

“Being a Welshman, I’m so proud when I put that jersey on.

“No matter what sport you play, if you can represent your country there is no better feeling.”

Jonny Clayton has secured his third European Tour event win with victory over Germany’s Niko Springer in the Dutch Darts Championship final.

Clayton defeated Springer, who is ranked 93rd in the world, 8-6 and secure his first European Tour event win since winning the Austrian Open two years ago.

Earlier in the day Clayton had defeated Ross Smith and Danny Noppert before a 7-5 victory over Luke Humphries.

The 50-year-old Welshman had lost to Josh Rock of Northern Ireland in the final of last year’s Dutch Darts Championship.

“This is a great feeling,” said Clayton, who becomes the new world number five following his success in Rosmalen.

“I missed out to Josh Rock last year and I’ve gone one better this year. I’ve also had a ProTour win in Rosmalen, so this may be my new lucky home!

“What a player Niko is. He’s got such a big future. He’s a great lad with a great attitude, and he shows it on that dartboard.

“I came back somehow, and then I managed to get ahead and stay ahead. I’m so pleased to get over the line; it’s brilliant.”