On the men and warns make up the numbers

them. It’s tough – you try to support them, but, if you get drawn against one of them, you have to be against them.

“I’ve played against Danielle a few times this year as she does the circuit and Lindsey decided to do one or two tournaments – so I’ve clashed with her.

“I won in the end, but it was close and I kept thinking, ‘I swear I’m going to ground you in a minute!’ But in the back of my mind I have to tell myself, ‘She’s your opponent, not your daughter’.

“When we come off stage, it’s back to mother and daughter... but, hopefully, they don’t ring Childline!”

Ashton’s match will be the third on stage tonight, by which time the fancydress legions will be well-irrigated by the first of the 1,000,000 pints of beer expected to be consumed over the 16 days of competition.

She added: “It’s scary, but exciting. When I saw the schedule for first night, I thought, ‘Why don’t you throw me to the lions?’ But let’s go for it – why not?

“It’s an honour to be one of two reigning world champions opening the tournament. If I can get my scoring and pegging out together, I’ll be really chuffed and I’d hope to get through.”

AGGREGATE crowd over 28 sessions

PLAYERS who have won the PDC world title since inception in 1994