PHIL TAYLOR has been crowned as the PDC's Player of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony in London.
The Professional Darts Corporation held their inaugural Awards Dinner at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel on London's Park Lane on Tuesday evening.
Leading players in the sport were joined by officials, sponsors and invited guests for the gala evening, with Taylor scooping the biggest prize of the night following another phenomenal year of success.
Click here for PDC Awards Dinner Photo Gallery
After winning a record-extending 13th World Championship title 12 months ago, he also took glory in the Holsten Premier League Darts, World Series of Darts, Stan James World Matchplay and SkyBet World Grand Prix.
Taylor, who also picked up the World Darts Trophy title and three Pro Tour wins, said: "I'm honoured to receive this award.
"The standard across the board has increased so much in recent years and there is massive competition in every tournament.
"Although I was disappointed to lose the Ladbrokes.com World Championship final to Raymond van Barneveld, he is a worthy champion and I know I will have a fight to get the title back.
"But this recognition is fantastic and it's an award I will treasure."
Van Barneveld took two honours at the ceremony, winning a Fans Player of the Year poll as well as being selected as the PDC's Best Newcomer following his move to the organisation last February.
James Wade, who reached the Stan James World Matchplay final in July and hit three nine-dart legs on the circuit, was named Young Player of the Year, with Wales' Barrie Bates rewarded for his progress with the Best Floor Player title.
Roland Scholten received an award for the Best Televised Performance in recognition of his 11-3 victory over van Barneveld in the Premier League semi-final.
Double World Champion Dennis Priestley's rise back up the rankings was rewarded by his peers with the Professional Dart Players Association's Player of the Year award.
Presentations were also made to all players who have landed nine-dart legs in PDC-ranked tournaments, with a Nine Dart Club formed to recognise the achievement.
Phil Jones, who retired from his duties as Master of Ceremonies, was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame alongside John Raby, the owner of JR Darts who has made a great contribution to the success of the PDC in the past 15 years.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: "This evening shows how far the PDC, and the sport of darts, has come in recent years.
"These players are now receiving the rewards for their superb talent in prize money and the Awards Dinner at the five-star Dorchester Hotel alongside our sponsors and so many legends of the game saw them honoured further."
Award Winners
PDC Hall of Fame
Phil Jones & John Raby
Best Floor Player
Barrie Bates
Other Nominations: Dennis Priestley, Mick McGowan, Colin Lloyd
Televised Performance of the Year
Roland Scholten (v Raymond van Barneveld, Holsten Premier League Darts semi-final)
Other Nominations: Raymond van Barneveld (v Colin Lloyd, Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship second round), Adrian Lewis (v Dennis Priestley, World Series of Darts semi-final), James Wade (v Roland Scholten, Stan James World Matchplay semi-final)
Fans' Player of the Year
Raymond van Barneveld (as voted for by viewers to www.planetdarts.tv)
PDPA Players' Player of the Year
Dennis Priestley
Best Newcomer
Raymond van Barneveld
Other Nominations: John Kuczynski, Alan Tabern, Colin Osborne
The Nine-Dart Club
Presentation of Sterling Silver Pin Badge to players who hit nine-darters in PDC-ranked non-televised tournaments (James Wade, Colin Osborne, Alan Tabern, Colin Lloyd, Roland Scholten, Yves Cottenge, Chris Mason, Wayne Mardle, Lionel Sams, Alan Warriner, Paul Williams, Steve Beaton, Shayne Burgess, Graeme Stoddart, Ronnie Baxter)
Presentation of Gold Pin Badge to players to achieve a nine-darter in a live televised tournament - Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld
Young Player of the Year
James Wade
Other Nominations: Adrian Lewis, Rico Vonck, Erwin Extercatte
Player of the Year
Phil Taylor
Other Nominations: Raymond van Barneveld, Dennis Priestley, Terry Jenkins
A highlights package from the evening will be screened on Sky Sports One at 7.30pm on Thursday 11 January.