Ted ‘The Count’ Hankey is forecasting one of the most thrilling Lakesides ever as he prepares to defend his World Pro crown.

The Shropshire darter took the BDO version of the world title in a dramatic final against Tony ‘the Silverback’ O’Shea at the Lakeside, Frimley Green, last January.

Hankey, who is based in Aqueduct, Telford, defeated the Stockport star by seven sets to six to win the title for the second time, having first lifted the trophy back in 2000.

The 41-year-old believes he has the game to be a three-time champion, but admits he has a tough first round clash this time around against England’s Gary Robson (6pm tomorrow, live on BBC TV).

Robson will arrive at Lakeside full of confidence after finishing as runner-up in the Zuiderduin Masters in Holland earlier this month.

Hankey crashed out of that event at the group stage.

He believes there are half a dozen potential winners in the field at the World Championships.

“If I get past Gary Robson in the first game then I really believe I can go all the way to the final again,” he said.

“But there’s so many good players in there this time. Robbie Green for instance, he’s nicknamed Kong, he’s playing Tony O’Shea (last year’s beaten finalist) first game.

“It’s Silverback versus King Kong and it’s going to be a hell of a game. Then you’ve got Dave Chisnall against Darryl Fitton and that’s another cracking first round game.

“Everybody who’s there is capable of winning it.

“When it comes to bookies, you’ve got to be looking at myself, Martin Adams, O’Shea, Fitton, John ‘Boy’ Walton – but don’t be surprised if all those are out in the first round.”

Last year’s sensational victory still brings a smile to Hankey’s face, especially as he had gone into the event low in confidence and form.

He survived a potentially tricky first round meeting with Brian Woods and went on to produce some consistent darts.

“There was a bit of needle in the first game against Brian because he said he was going to beat me 3-0 and all that,” Hankey recalled.

“That could have been a dodgy game for me, because I was struggling for world ranking points.

“Once I got through that I started to relax. Getting to the final again was a dream, but to win it was just amazing. I’ve always said it was bigger than the first one, it meant a lot more to me.

“I’d had four years of bad luck with car crashes and different things, but my family, wife, mum and dad stuck by me and it was just as much for them as it was for me.”