He’s finished off Yorkshire’s greatest darts player – now Joe Cullen wants to take his mantle.

Twice world champion Dennis Priestley is set to retire his arrows after failing to qualify for the tournament for the first time in an illustrious career.

Cullen was the reason for that after storming back from 4-0 down to stun Priestley 5-4 last month and grab one of the last spots at the Alexandra Palace shoot-out.

The Wyke wonder, who kicks off his second world championship campaign next Tuesday, now carries the White Rose hopes on to the big stage – and he is relishing his shot at the limelight.

Former postman Cullen said: “People are saying that I’ll be remembered as the man who retired Dennis Priestley.

“It’s the first time he’s not qualified and I know that was going to happen sooner or later but it’s a massive thing.

“I get on well with Dennis because we’re both Yorkshiremen and he’s had an unbelievable career. Hopefully if I can match half of what he’s achieved then I’ll have done very well.

“I thought I’d had it when he went 180 and 180 to start the fifth leg. But I managed a 12-darter and he didn’t get a shot (at a double).

“I knew if I won the next leg that his bottle would go. He had two darts to win but after that he’d gone and couldn’t hit another treble.”

Cullen’s debut in the world championship last year ended in first-round defeat to Terry Jenkins, who went on to reach the semi-finals.

The pair have been drawn to meet again – providing Cullen gets past unknown Serbian Oliver Ferenc in the preliminaries.

“It’s first to four legs, so you’ve got to start fast, but I should beat him,” said the Bradford ace.

“My form up to the last month has been shocking but I’ve been playing all right since then.

“I want to play Terry again because I know I can knock him out. He’s always vulnerable in the early stages of tournaments.

“I had a chance last year but after that nobody really got close until he lost the semi-final to Gary Anderson.

“Terry’s the sort of player who doesn’t ever seem to be playing that well. But then you look up and see he’s on a finish. He just puts in the tons and 140s.

“But I’ve learned a lot from last time, mainly not to give him two sets before I get started!

“People say they’d back me most times to beat Terry on the floor tournaments but he’s got loads more experience in front of live TV.

“That doesn’t bother me because I know I’m good enough. Once I get through the preliminary, I can’t wait to have another go at him.”

Then Cullen can start showing that Dennis is not the only menace from the county.