Fitton who paraded on to the Lakeside stage to his trademark Madness song  “One Step Beyond” made the early running, as he swept into a 2-0 lead, taking six of the opening seven legs, including the first maximum of the game.

He annexed the opening leg of the third set but then saw the slim-line battler from the north east display gutsy form to edge 2-1 in front.

Richardson - the undisputed king of the qualifiers who has won through the playoffs on six occasions in the past – dug deep in the deciding fifth leg, hitting his first 180, and nervously edging to the third set on double eight with his fourth throw for the double.

He then missed a crucial double in the second leg of the next set as Fitton cruised to victory on double 20.

“I’m very happy and feel relaxed now. Anything can happen in the first round, the first game is without doubt the Hardest. Winning that game is what matters.

“My finishing is going really well, the scoring is not as good as it used to be but finishing is crucial,” said Fitton.