THERE are, as well as giant hot dogs, pumpkins and jockeys, superheroes in the crowd, but the local hero is on the stage.

Chris Dobey has just been 'welcomed home' by MC John McDonald and made his way to the stage for his first game in Thursday's Premier League Darts night in Newcastle.

Wor Flags have set up a black and white striped display on stage and Dobey is looking out at a crowd of 7,500 singing his name.

The tickets for the date sold out before Dobey's participation had even been confirmed. With the Bedlington-born thrower involved, you suspect the PDC could have sold out the Utilita Arena four times over.

Dobey had returned home to Tyneside after a stressful week on the road which saw him lose his baggage on a flight to Germany, meaning he had to borrow darts and clothes off fellow players for weekend competitions.

Thankfully, he had his own clobber and equipment for his big night back home - and he didn't disappoint, fighting back from behind and beating world champion and world number one Michael Smith, to the delight of his adoring crowd - including his five-year-old son.

Dobey went on to lose at the semi-final stage to eventual night winner Gerwyn Price but it was still an evening that will live long in the memory for the 32-year-old.

"The walk-on was something special," said Dobey, a Newcastle United season ticket holder, who was introduced to the sound of Local Hero.

"It means a lot to me being a big Newcastle fan, having them come and do that with the flags for me was breathtaking.

"I didn't expect it to be like that. I just had to take a moment when I got on stage to get my head around it.

"Normally I go to St James' and it's for everybody. Tonight that was for me and that meant a lot. I was just glad to get that first win under my belt.

"I was feeling the pressure 100%, I can't lie. I'm normally as calm as anything but tonight I felt it. I think you can see in my performances, I wasn't settled, but I loved every minute.

"I was very nervous, obviously to have my little boy meant more than anything. He doesn't go much but it was a big thing for me tonight. I'm just happy I got the win tonight for the fans."

Dobey was stunned to receive a text from Alan Shearer earlier this year after winning the Masters, which ultimately earned him a place in the Premier League, and was inundated with messages ahead of his appearance on the big stage back home.

He said: "I had to turn my phone off pretty early. I came into the practice room, put my headphones in, music on, just to focus. I didn't interact with any of the players for an hour or so."

MC McDonald has introduced darts players at competitions around the world and felt the Dobey buzz on Tyneside.

He said: "It was a fantastic spectacle and he deserves it. He's a very talented young player.

"All these occasions, when you bring a player home, it's always nice to play on home soil."

Dobey has quickly settled into his first season in the gruelling Premier League. He enjoyed a stunning debut night when he won and although a run of defeats followed, he performed well and has picked up points in the last two weeks. He's fifth and just two points shy of the top four, who qualify for Finals Night at the end of the regular league campaign.

Losing to former world champion Price is never a disgrace, but especially not on Thursday, when the Welshman was in stunning form and hammered Michael van Gerwen 6-1 in the final.

Price has been hugely impressed by the way Dobey has rapidly adapted to Premier League life.

He said: "It's difficult. It's not just about playing, it's about the travelling, the time on the road, time away from family.

"Chris won the first one then lost one, lost one, lost one, that can hit you mentally and you have to go to Pro Tours and Europeans and pick yourself up.

"Chris is playing really well. He's losing games averaging over a ton most weeks so fair play to him, for someone who's just come in. I think he'll have many more years in this Premier League and he deserves it."