Interviewing... Raymond Van Barneveld

The mind boggles at the notion of Queen Elizabeth II sending words of praise to someone like Andy "Viking" Fordham, champion in 2004.

But that is exactly what happened to Dutch ace Raymond Van Barneveld following his triumph in this year's tournament at the "home of darts" - the Lakeside Country Club at Frimley Green, Surrey.

HM Queen Beatrix of Holland sent her congratulations to Van Barneveld after he secured his fourth world title courtesy of a 6-2 win over England captain Martin "Wolfie" Adams.

The queen's note was relayed at the champion's reception - held in the Canal Suite of Bob Potter's complex - in a speech by the Dutch minister of sport - a welcome guest at the British Darts Organisation's (BDO) flagship event.

It confirmed Van Barneveld's status as a Dutch sports icon, adding to his delight at, once again, lifting the biggest prize darts has to offer.

As he took to the stage, dressed in his tuxedo to be presented again with the silver trophy he lifted with such joy earlier that day, the big ex-postman from The Hague told the gathered audience: "It's a great feeling to be world champion again, but it's an unbelievable honour to receive congratulations from Queen Beatrix. It means so much to me."

Van Barneveld kept his own speech short as a gripping week's action on and off the oche drew to its climax.

He praised his opponent Adams before thanking his wife Silvia, management team and the "Orange Army" of supporters - including Chelsea star Arjen Robben, sat on the champion's table - for backing him with such colour and passion.

Van Barneveld was a picture of contentment and relaxation - but just a few hours previously, in front of a vibrant Lakeside and television audience of millions, it had been totally different.

The sweat was pouring off the 37-year-old top seed as Adams, in his first-ever final after 12 years competing for the Championship, made the best possible start.

Adams threw a maximum 180 with his opening arrows, while "Barney" made a paltry 55.

Van Barneveld admitted later that, despite five final appearances, the occasion got to him badly.

"I was unbelievably nervous in the first set and I couldn't relax," he said.

"I was playing the England captain in England, so the crowd made a lot of noise and it did affect me. There was a lot of pressure."

Adams took the first set 3-2 and a Lakeside classic looked on the cards, as favourite Van Barneveld had missed seven doubles and looked uneasy.

But he hit back to dominate his 48-year-old adversary. While Adams' form tailed off, the Dutchman cranked up the pressure to lead 4-1 at the interval.

From that point, there was only one winner.

Van Barneveld later revealed his motivation, stating: "Last year I got beaten in the semi-final and that is not okay. This is what I train for and the stage where I have to perform."

After the short break, Van Barneveld continued where he'd left off, winning the next set 3-0 for a 5-1 advantage.

Adams rallied with a seventh-set whitewash of his own, sustaining hopes of a comeback, but Van Barneveld weathered the storm to close out the eighth set with a double 16 and underline his position as the BDO's star player.

Van Barneveld, winner in 1998, 1999 and 2003, won £50,000, while Adams picked up £25,000.

Both walked off the stage to rapturous applause, and speaking to the press in the player's lounge straight afterwards, Van Barneveld said: "Frimley Green is my second home and I'm a very proud man to be holding this trophy again.

"I honestly don't think I played my best final, but I still won 6-2. I've played 33 averages here and still lost, like last year. I was determined it wouldn't happen to me this time."

Adams, a close friend of Van Barneveld, said he had been affected by some unwelcome noise from a section of the crowd, but was otherwise philosophical in defeat.

"I don't want to point any fingers but I know some of the individuals and I'll say my piece when the time is right," he added.

"It was a good game of darts but I wasn't particularly good early on and it didn't quite go to plan.

"Ray's always a great opponent. That's why we call him 'The Man'. But I'll get him next time."

Van Barneveld's success brought up the question - which was asked throughout the tournament - of a potential match with Phil Taylor, the PDC world champion.

At each stage as he progressed, it got the same answer - "I cannot look beyond the next match".

But after winning, Van Barneveld - now one behind Eric Bristow's record BDO haul of five titles - said he is keen to meet "The Power".

Taylor won his 12th world title in beating Mark Dudbridge 7-4 in the Ladbrokes World Championship on January 3.

Van Barneveld said: "To me, this is still the world championship to win, but I would like to take on Phil. I have a lot of respect for him.

"I spoke to Phil only last week. He is a good friend of mine, although we don't see each other very often because we play for rival governing bodies.

"When I spoke to him he told me he would be cheering me on in this tournament because, like him, I am the world number one.

"But it would be good for darts if we could take each other on, head to head. A match with Phil is definitely one I and darts fans would love to see happen.

"And why not have the winner of each world title meet every year? It happens in boxing when fighters unify titles."