People^s Darts set to start search for new champion

John Smith^s People^s Darts

Teapots never change their spouts - but Tim Jones will always be grateful for the amateur darts tournament that changed his life.

Welsh wizard Jones, nicknamed "Teapot" because of his distinctive stance on the oche, won the inaugural John Smith^s People^s Darts championship in January and has since gone on to become a hit on the pro BDO circuit.

And Jones, 32, admitted: "I could never have imagined what an impact it would have on my life by winning the People^s Darts, but it has definitely given my personality a new edge."

Today, tournament organisers will announce the sequel to their hit competition for pub and club amateurs, with thousands expected to enter - seduced by the promise of playing the final live on TV at the Lakeside Country Club.

Also on offer are a training session with a darts pro in your local boozer, and a £1,000 sports package for your pub or club. The brewers who sponsor the competition claim it attracts the biggest field of any mainstream amateur tournament, and 4.9million viewers tuned in to the BBC for Jones^ 3-1 win against Tommy Dove last January.