MICHAEL Smith saw all his dreams come true with a thrilling victory over Michael Van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in the World Darts Championship Tuesday night.

And it was a whirlwind week for the proud Sintelliner as he returned to St Helens with the trophy, dropped in at Saints, and caught up with his proud parents. 

He also celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary with wife Dagmara.

Such is Smith's hectic schedule though, that he is already in Germany playing in another tournament - his first as the globe's number one player.

Becoming world champion - and also the world no 1 - underlines Smith, who grew up in Parr, as the town's highest-profile sportsperson.

And nowhere was that reflected more than on social media where the world champion's posts had an astonishing reach.

Here are some of his posts - which proved such a hit

'Never write off a Saint - Smith's messages to his doubters

'That's mint' - the town's traffic signs

Bully Boy was certainly impressed to see his name in lights on Chalon Way in St Helens the morning after the epic final.

 

Anniversary celebrations

Keeping the trophy close

 

The Star's front page

That nine-darter - in Italian

 

My Saints dream...

...which came true