Retiring Taylor, 57, was looking to end his career with a 17th world title but Cross put in one of the all-time great performances to shock the darting world.

He raced into a 3-0 lead and although Taylor got on the board in the fourth set, it was only a blip.

Cross went on to beat Taylor, who missed double 12 for a nine-darter during the contest, 7-2 to win his first world championship at the first attempt.

For Taylor, who won his first world title before Cross was even born, it was an end of an era.

He said: "When I first started I thought I'd lose 7-0. As soon as I took a set I wanted to make it respectable to push him, make him think a little bit but it didn't happen.

"I'm at the end of my career, he's at the beginning and it was a mismatch really. He's a brilliant player.

"I tried my best, I really did. I'm so pleased that's it for me because i don't have the energy to beat him, Van Gerwen or Adrian Lewis anymore.

"It's weird to say that because it's been my life for 30 years and my grandkids have come and seen their grandad get their backside smacked really."

"I tried my best but I didn't have that push against him.

"He was relentless, he didn't stop putting me under pressure, that's what I was like when I was younger.

"He's a lot like myself, he's dedicated, he's listened and learnt and the players have got a big problem.

"Michael van Gerwen, Barney, Adrian Lewis, you've got someone now who is dedicated and wants to win.

"I don't think the money makes a scrap of difference, he's an animal. He's got that grit in his teeth."