Kaizer Chiefs were desperate to sign Asenele Velebayi before this season began, having had several offers rejected.
Read More »
Kaizer Chiefs to relight Asenele Velebayi interest?
City of Cape Town load-shedding schedule for SUNDAY – UPDATED
In response to Eskom's latest announcement, the City of Cape Town has provided its load-shedding schedule.
Read More »
ESKOM: Stage 6 load-shedding schedule for SUNDAY – UPDATED
Eskom confirms Stage 6 loadshedding due to multiple unit trips at Camden Power Station, continuing until further notice.
Read More »
Ruto announces plans to introduce changes to visa processing
President William Ruto on Sunday, February 23, announced plans to revise visa processing procedures in the country to boost tourism. Speaking in Mombasa where he toured the luxury Cruise Liner Norwegian Dawn which docked with over 2,000 tourists, Ruto noted that his administration was mulling removing complicated paperwork discouraging people from visiting Kenya. He noted […]
Read More »
1923’s Cole Brings Plenty dedication explained
1923 Season 2 Episode 1 opens with a dedication to cast member Cole Brings Plenty
– here’s everything you need to know.
Read More »
Bonnie Blue filmed 1,057-man ‘sporting event’ in my house… dozens got ‘stage fright’ & I’ve had 7-figure offers for bed
THE man behind Bonnie Blue’s record-breaking 1057 sex stunt says the most prized position was LAST.
Lord Eddie Davenport – dubbed ‘Fast Eddie’ – hosted the “sporting event” at his notorious sex party Marylebone Mansion, 32 Portland Place.
After the event, Bonnie Blue – real name Tia Bellinger – took to social media to boast that she had slept with more than a thousand men in 12 hours.
Her bonkfest surpassed the previous record set by adult film actress Lisa Sparks, who had sex with 919 men in 24 hours in 2004.
The 25-year-old revealed she was left covered in bruises and bite marks from the controversial sex marathon and issued a thank-you to “all the barely legal, barely breathing, and the husbands.”
The stunt took place at the £15 million London mansion, where the 58-year-old host gained notoriety for organising extravagant sex parties.
Last year, Eddie managed to stop police from shutting down his parties after successfully winning the “right to party”.
Officers had been called 63 times to incidents involving his property following parties, thanks to noise complaints, alleged drug use, and rowdy partygoers.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun from his mansion, he says: “The whole day was the craziest I’ve ever experienced. Men queued from the basement to the top floor in balaclavas and a lot lost their virginities that day.
“Some couldn’t perform – too much pressure. They had dreamt about meeting her, and when the moment came, not all parts were cooperating. Some ended up queuing twice for another go.
“As a guy, I can sympathise. I mean, it’s probably one of the reasons I didn’t join in because 45 seconds is not terribly long.
“And, stage fright is a bit embarrassing, especially as the world’s biggest party host. I don’t want to be known as Fast Eddie for the wrong reason!”
Sex stunts
Until October 2024, Bonnie was virtually unknown.
But that changed dramatically when she made headlines with her controversial stunts, beginning with an eyebrow-raising Freshers’ Week event where she reportedly slept with hundreds of 18 and 19-year-olds, along with some of their fathers.
Since then, she has continued to provoke public outrage with ever more shocking “challenges,” including the sex stunt at Eddie’s mansion where she slept with over 1,000 men in 12 hours for content.
This week, she once again grabbed attention by fueling pregnancy rumours, sharing a photo of food with the hashtag “cravings” and boldly claiming that, after bedding over 1,000 men, her chances of conceiving were “100%.”
Outrage intensified when she revealed her intention to turn the supposed birth into yet another money-making spectacle – by live-streaming the entire event, although she has since confirmed she is not pregnant.
As well as being criticised for setting a poor example for women, she has also faced backlash for allegedly exploiting young men – many of whom are still teenagers.
But Eddie dismisses these claims.“The idea that she’s exploiting guys by bonking them is ludicrous”, he says. “I was a young guy once, and I would have loved to sleep with her.
“These men were very lucky – she’s stunning, incredibly fit, and they were thrilled for the opportunity.”
Eddie goes on to explain just how “extraordinary” the 1,000 challenge was and how the men had to show their ID at the door before joining the queue.
“The queue actually started in the basement because we have a big playroom down there,” he recalls.
“The whole room was full of guys, most of them in balaclavas. It was quite a sight. They queued downstairs before moving upstairs. In total, she had 1,057 men turn up.
“There were diehard fans who arrived two hours early, and we had to keep telling them, ‘She’s not here yet. Go have a tea and come back or go have breakfast.’”
The event started at 1 PM, but people were arriving as early as 10 AM.
He says: “Certain positions in the queue were highly sought after – number one, number 1,000, and the most coveted of all, the last position.
“Surprisingly, about a dozen guys argued over who would be the final participant.”
When asked what number he was, he laughed: “Everyone asks me that, but I was too busy organising it. I would have loved to participate, but I felt guilty pushing out the diehard fans. Maybe next time.”
Extraordinary stamina
Unsurprisingly, the day was not without drama.
“One mother unknowingly dropped off her son at the event. When she saw the masked men, she stormed inside, screaming, ‘You’re an embarrassment to the family! You’re the Antichrist! You’re the devil! I’m going to tell your aunt about this!’
“She dragged him out while he desperately searched for his coat.”
Another “super fan” chained himself to the railings outside, wailing that his girlfriend was inside.
“He was screaming, ‘My girlfriend is Bonnie Blue!’” Eddie recalled, laughing. “He was wearing a very strange outfit – an extraordinary character.”
The now-infamous bed from the event remains in the mansion as a “piece of artwork,” with offers in the seven-figure range to purchase it.
Who is Bonnie Blue?
Born in May 1999, Bonnie – whose real name is Tia Billinger – grew up in a small Derbyshire village, and attended the Friesland School in the village of Sandiacre.
She has two half-siblings – a sister and a brother – who have always remained out of the public eye.
She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad.
Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015.
She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager.
After school, she began working in recruitment.
In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15.
Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment.
However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a ‘cam girl’ – crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world.
She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week.
But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together.
She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there.
She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her “niche” of sleeping with young male students – such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University’s freshers week in September 2024.
Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans.
Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she’s her daughter’s PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie’s events – as well as handing out condoms to young clients.
In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have broken the world record for the most amount of sex in 12 hours, after apparently sleeping with 1,057 men from 1pm to 1am at a secret London event.
“Bonnie was absolutely incredible,” he continued. “She’s like an athlete – her stamina was extraordinary. She didn’t even take a break.
“For 12 hours, she only stopped briefly for an energy drink. Even after sleeping with 1,000 men, there were another 57 waiting, and she said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll do them one by one.’”
Security had to intervene to move along disruptive attendees. “She had four of her own security, plus our team.
“I normally have about three security personnel here, but for big events, we can have up to 12. This wasn’t an event with alcohol, so it was relatively quiet.
“These were fans coming to meet their idol, standing in line, excited for their 45 seconds in the room.”
Eddie emphasised that the event was carefully structured, with a custom-made bed designed for the stunt. “It was built to be the perfect height – soft, durable, waterproof.
“A lot of discussion went into creating it. Initially, it had a blue cover to make it look more glamorous.
“A Bonnie Blue hotline was set up, and at one point, a caller from Japan made a huge offer to buy the cover. Eventually, it was sold off at an astronomical price.”
Eddie tells how volunteers helped clear up after the bonkfest.
“A lot of guys were keen to help for free,” he explains. “I think they wanted to keep some stuff as, er, souvenirs.”
For now, the ‘Bonnie Blue bed’ remains in place as a prized possession of the mansion.
He says: “It’s an iconic piece of art. We’ve had several seven figure offers for it, but we haven’t accepted any yet. Maybe one day, but for now, it’s still here.”
Reflecting on the event, he adds, “Afterwards, Bonnie was completely fine. Calm, happy, taking photos, doing interviews – just like someone who had won a major sporting event.”
I tried Aldi’s best & worst dupes for brands like Mars, Nutella & Cadbury – some taste exactly the same & are half price
SUPERMARKETS often mimic our favourite brands, offering similar products but for a cheaper price.
Aldi has become much-loved for its dupes that have occasionally been so close to the original that it has landed them in hot water.
M&S was not happy that Aldi’s Cuthbert was such a close version to its famous Colin the Caterpillar, taking legal action over the matter.
Whilst infuriating for big brands, in tough financial times these products are often life-saving for cash-strapped shoppers.
Aldi has established itself as the king of knock-offs, but are the products as good?
Mum-of-three Lynsey Hope, who lives in West Malling, Kent, with her husband and three children, has tried a selection of the budget retailers’ famous dupes.
Here, she reveals which can save you a packet – and which to leave on the shelf.
SNACKS
Aldi Snackrite Mini Cheese Bakes
- 89p for six packs (168g)
- 52.9p per 100g
Dupe Jacob’s Mini Cheddars
- £1.75 for six packs (138g)
- £1.27 per 100g
The Aldi cheddars look very similar but they have a strong cheesy smell when you open the bag.
Just like the big brand, they are baked and not fried, made with real cheese and contain no artifiicial colours. They look a little pale in comparison.
Overall I’d say the taste isn’t spot on, they are not quite as good as Jacob’s.
However, they work out less than 15p per pack and the Jacob’s ones are 29.1p so they are almost half the price per bag. It’s a good saving, not to be sniffed at.
BISCUITS
Alsi Dairyfine Milk Chocolate Fingers
- £1.09 for 125g (87.2p per 100g)
Cadbury Milk Chocolate Fingers
- £1.90 for 114g (£1.67 per 100g)
Not a patch on the infamous Cadbury biscuits.
They just didn’t have the same crunch as you bit into them and the chocolate was nowhere near as good.
Overall I felt they were a little bland and they were not as satisfying to eat.
They are 81p less for a bigger box though. Cheap, but not sure I’d say cheerful.
YOGHURT
Tube- it Squeezy Tube Yoghurts
- £1.29 for 9 (333g)
Frubes Strawberry
- £2.25 for 9 (333g)
My two daughters like one of these yoghurts nearly every day so they are a big addition to my shopping bill.
Swapping to the Aldi ones could save nearly £50 if you buy a pack a week and I probably buy two, so these were definitely worth a try.
The ingredients are virtually the same with both containing 67 calories and 2g fat per pouch.
Aldi’s are only slightly higher in sugar too at 8.1g compared to 8g. Taste wise they are the same.
The girls didn’t notice anything different so felt like these were a great money saving swap.
PIZZA
Carlos Takeaway Loaded Pepperoni Stuffed Crust Pizza
- £2.25 for 472g (47.6g per 100g)
Chicago Town Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza
- £3.15 for 490g (78p per 100g)
This Aldi ‘takeaway’ pizza is a great Friday night treat and a real bargain, costing 90p less than the Chicago Town option.
It’s insanely good for the price.
Both are easy to cook and after just ten minutes in the oven, this came out deliciously gooey and oozing with cheese.
You’d save even more money if you buy this instead of a takeaway such as Domino’s and it tastes great.
CHEESE
Dip-It Cheese Dip with Breadsticks
- £1.79 for 4 packs (172g)
Dairylea Dunkers with Breadsticks
- £2.25 for 4 packs (172g)
Four packs of these don’t last long in my house so they are an expensive addition to the weekly shop.
The Aldi ones are 46p cheaper a box so if you bought these instead of the pricier Dairylea ones every week for a year, you’d save nearly £24 on your grocery bill.
Taste wise they were virtually identical.
CRISPS
Snackrite Stackz Original
- £1.35 for 165g (81.8p per 100g)
Pringles
- £2.20 for 185g (£1.19 per 100g)
The Aldi tube is actually a little smaller but it’s still much cheaper, costing 85p less and working out around 37p cheaper per 100g.
The crisps aren’t as curved as the famous brand, looking a bit flatter and a bit lighter in colour but if you can look past that they look great and taste identical.
The same salty hit. My kids couldn’t even tell the difference.
CEREAL
Harvest Morn Multi-Grain Hoops
- 85p for 379g (22.4p per 100g)
Nestle Multigrain Cheerios
- £3.25 for 500g (65p per 100g)
Cheerios are another favourite at home but at £3.25 for a box, they are fast becoming a luxury.
I was impressed by Aldi’s box which was smaller but much better value per 100g.
The Aldi hoops actually tasted better to me, with a lovely crunch.
Add to that they are lower in calories (111 versus 113), lower in fat (1g versus 1.4g), lower in sugar (4.2g versus 5.3g) AND lower in salt (0.17g versus 0.24g) then it’s save to say these are a winner for me.
I wouldn’t go back to buying the brand.
LEMONADE
Limonata Italian Style Soda
- £2.99 for 6 x 330ml cans
San Pellegrino Limonata
- £4.80 for 6 x 330ml cans
I was blown away by this saving.
The Aldi cans look identical to the San Pellegrino drinks but cost £1.81 less for a pack of six.
If you are a big family and bought one pack a week, in a year this would save you an impressive £94.12 on your grocery bill.
Taste wise they are lovely, almost identical, I could barely tell the difference.
Crisp, with a lovely sweetness and tangy flavour. An absolute bargain.
CHOCOLATE SPREAD
Nutoka Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
- £1.69 for 400g (42.2p per 100g)
Nutella
- £3.45 for 350g (99p per 100g)
Not only is Aldi’s jar £1.76 cheaper, it’s also bigger and costs less than half the price per 100g of spread.
It looks almost identical to the famous brand, so much so I’m surprised they havent’ had a cease and desist letter.
Taste wise you can hardly tell the difference.
Aldi’s spread is a little nuttier, but I thought this was a good thing.
Given it’s less than half the price per 100g, I’ll definitely keep buying this for the kids.
MARMITE
Grandessa Mighty Yeast Extract
- £2.09 for 240g (87p per 100g)
Marmite
- £3 for 250g (£1.20 per 100g)
Marmite is a classic cupboard stable for around half of Brits but the price for a 500g jar has gone from £4.75 to £5.85 in many stores, so it would be great to find a cheaper alternative – enter Aldi’s Grandessa Mighty Yeast Extract.
The flavour was quite strong compared to the branded jar and it had a bit of a tang.
I don’t think I could manage much of it one go.
But it’s difficult to beat on price coming in at 33p less per 100g when compared to the original.
SOUP
Soupreme Tomato and Basil Soup (600g)
- £1.49 (24.8p per 100g)
Covent Garden Tomato and Basil Soup (560g)
- £2.20 (39.3p per 100g)
Packaged in a very similar tetrapack, this soup looks very similar to the more expensive Covent Garden brand.
You could easily pick it up by mistake. It has an appetising aroma but actually the soup was a bit thin and watery and not as creamy as the branded option.
It has a lovely tanginess and is quite herby though and it’s a good saving of 71p on a pack. Plus, you get 40g extra.
ENERGY DRINK
Red Thunder Energy Drink (250ml)
- 42p (16.8p per 100ml)
Red Bull Energy Drink (250ml)
- £1.75 (70p per 100ml)
Aldi’s version of the famous energy drink definitely has quite a tang to it and is quite similar to Red Bull with the same sugary sweet taste. It had a slight artificial aftertaste but so does Red Bull.
It’s a huge saving on the famous brand – a whopping £1.33 per can and less than a third of the price per 100ml of drink.
If you bought an Aldi instead of Red Bull just once a week, you’d save yourself £69.16 a year – now that really gives me wings!
CHOCOLATE
Dairyfine Titan Bars
- £1.19 for 6 (228g)
- 75.5p per 100g
Mars Bars
- £1.79 for 4 (157.6g)
- £1.14 per 100g
The Aldi bars look similar to the real thing and they are an incredible price, but the chocolate doesn’t taste as good.
It’s thinner and has a slightly strange aftertaste.
If you can overlook that, they are 39p cheaper per 100g.
This pack is 60p cheaper and you get two extra bars.
BEER
Birra Mapelli
- £1.49 for 500ml
Birra Moretti
- £2.05 for 500ml
Even beer have made it on to Aldi’s hit list and as alcohol can really tot up your grocery bill, these are worth a dry.
The Aldi due of Moretti is 56p cheaper per 500ml bottle.
This is a nice clean lager, with almost tastes like a blonde beer with its better sweetness.
It has lovely hoppy, bitter tones, and is smooth and refreshing.
A great way to save – especially once Spring arrives.
ICE CREAM
Gianni’s Milk Chocolate Ice Creams
- £1.59 for 4 (400ml) or 39.7p per 100ml
Magnum Classic Ice Cream Sticks
- £3.50 for 3 (300ml) or £1.17 per 100ml
The box looks the same but the ice creams are in a clear wrapper rather than a branded one.
When you get to the ice cream itself, the chocolate isn’t as thick and creamy and the ice cream isn’t quite as good, but they are delicious and incredibly cheap.
You pay less than half the price for this box, a saving of £1.91, and get one extra – my kids ate them and couldn’t even tell the difference between this and the real thing. I’m certainly not complaining, either.
MILKSHAKE
Cowbelle Protein Chocolate Milkshake
- 79p per 330ml (23.9p per 100ml)
Huel Ready to Drink Chocolate
- £3 for 500ml (60p per 100ml)
Huel has become popular for it’s protein-packed products, including milkshakes.
But healthy often means expensive. This Aldi milkshake contains the same 20g of protein in its carton and it tastes lovely.
It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of Huel which has many other vitamins and minerals too, it’s also much higher in sugar, with 4.9g per 100ml compared to just 0.6g in the Huel.
But it does taste good and if the sugar content doesn’t bother you, or its a one-off purchase, it’s a brilliant saving of over 36p per 100ml.
PASTA SAUCE
Cucina Bolognese Pasta Sauce
- 75p for 500g (15p per 100g)
Dolmio Original Bolognese Sauce
- £2.50 for 500g (50p per 100g)
The Aldi jar is a hell of a lot cheaper, saving you £1.75. It’s less than a third of the price.
Oegano, cloves, basil and marjoram are all listed as ingredients, but while you can see flecks of herbs in the liquid, I couldn’t really taste them.
There’s less tomatoes in it and less veg.
That said, it’s ok for a quick meal and much better value than the Dolmio, which has become extremely pricey.
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
I cleaned for the royal family, here’s the £1 item we used to keep floors sparkling, it works every time
PALACE floors have to withstand thousands of footsteps, from visiting dignitaries to royal family members themselves—yet they always look immaculate.
And according to a former royal cleaner, there’s one surprisingly simple and inexpensive product that helps keep these high-traffic floors gleaming, and you can buy it for just £1 at most supermarkets.
Speaking exclusively to Hyperion Tiles, specialists in high-end flooring and maintenance, the ex-royal cleaner, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that the secret is none other than black tea.
While most people reach for chemical-laden floor cleaners, the Royal Household has long used natural, time-tested methods to maintain its pristine surfaces.
According to the former cleaner, steeped black tea works wonders on hardwood and tiled floors, helping to enhance shine without leaving streaks, break down dirt and grease gently while naturally disinfecting surfaces without harsh chemicals
Tannins found in black tea help bring out the natural richness of wooden floors, adding a subtle shine without damaging the surface.
Unlike modern cleaning sprays that often leave residue or dull the finish over time, tea is a gentle yet effective alternative.
The Royal Household prioritises long-term preservation over quick fixes.
Many commercial cleaners contain abrasive chemicals that strip away protective finishes over time.
Instead, natural solutions like black tea help maintain floors without causing buildup or long-term damage.
This gentle cleaning method is particularly effective for period properties, where historic floors need extra care.
The fact that it’s budget-friendly and accessible makes it an even more surprising palace-approved secret.
HOW TO USE THE ROYAL CLEANING METHOD
Want to try this royal-approved cleaning method? Here’s how:
- Brew 2-3 black tea bags in a litre of hot water. Let it steep until the water cools.
- Dip a soft mop or microfiber cloth into the tea and wring out excess liquid.
- Gently wipe down wooden or tiled floors, avoiding excess moisture.
- Let it air dry for a natural, polished shine.
This method is recommended for sealed wooden floors and high-quality tiles, noting that it’s an eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaners. However, they advise against using it on unsealed wood, where excessive moisture can cause damage.
Dishevelled Justin Bieber pulls series of faces as he enjoys a smoke with Dave Chappelle on night out in LA
JUSTIN Bieber was seen in good spirits as he pulled faces at Dave Chapelle while smoking in Los Angeles.
The Love Yourself singer sat down for an evening at Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood with the legendary comedian, with the pair surrounded in cloud smoke while they talked.
In between puffs on the roll-up, Justin was seen smiling and joking around with the 51-year-old stand-up comic as they sat outside the restaurant.
With a beanie pulled down a green striped beanie over his forehead, Justin kept a low profile in a black zip-up hoody, with a growing moustache on his face.
Dave, who kept his back to the camera, wore a red and black jacket against the evening chill.
The singer’s night out comes after growing concern about his appearance and behaviour over recent weeks.
He has been spotted looking dishevelled with a ‘sunken in face’ on multiple occasions, including a trip to New York last week where he was seen wearing a dressing gown and slippers around the streets of Manhattan.
He and wife Hailey Bieber have had to repeatedly shut down concerns their relationship is in trouble, shortly after the birth of their son, Jack Blues, in August last year.
A source has previously said of his alleged marriage problems: “Some of Hailey’s friends have advised her to leave him.
“His behaviour is sometimes unacceptable. She’s put up with a lot.”
Another source said: “Hailey’s been struggling with Justin almost since the start of the marriage.
“She loves him madly but he’s a loose cannon.”
However, publicly the pair have been hitting back at the allegations their six-year marriage is on the rocks, putting on a united front on nights out together as well as social media.
In December, Justin sparked rumours the pair could be splitting when shared a video on Instagram with the caption: “Co-parenting is failing . . . like tf.”
Typically, co-parenting is reserved for those who are sharing responsibilities for a child after a break-up.
In January, speculation spiked again when it was revealed Justin had unfollowed his wife on Instagram as part of a mass cull of who he keeps track of, but he later broke his silence to say someone else must have done it.
“SOMEONE WENT ON MY ACCOUNT AND UNFOLLOWED MY WIFE,” he wrote.
“S**T IS GETTING SUSS OUT HERE.”
Hailey further quashed any thoughts about a break-up by sharing the entire family were currently in Aspen, Colorado for a vacation, posting pictures of Justin as proof.
Justin and Hailey, who met as children, became close friends in 2009 and started dating in 2016 but ended up splitting.
They reconnected in 2018 and got engaged in the Bahamas before marrying that September at a courthouse in New York.
‘I let other things get into my head’ – Darts star vows to start new chapter after shock World Championships defeat
ROSS SMITH has vowed to start a new chapter after his shock exit at the World Championships.
The darts world No.18 was dumped out of the tournament by Filipino thrower Paolo Nebrida in December.
Smith, 36, lost the second-round tie by three legs as he fell well below expectations.
The Dover ace has admitted that the period of time was “really tough”.
However, he is keen to “push on” and improve from where he was at the oche.
Smith said: “Late December and early January was really tough, if I’m honest.
“I’m still chasing just that next level again all the time.
“I’m not going to beat about the bush, my preparation wasn’t great, but I was only myself to blame in that respect.
“I let other things get into my head that I shouldn’t have done.
“It’s about rectifying that and moving on from there.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“I always want to push on and be better than what I have been.”
Smith has been boosted by re-signing with Unicorn and is aiming to climb back up the PDC Order of Merit.
He said: “I’m over the moon with it, to be fair.
“Unicorn have been brilliant with me for the past two years.
“I’m delighted and I’m looking forward to everything that’s coming up with them as well.
“There’s maybe some new products and stuff like that.
“Having a big brand behind you and the constant help and continuity is a help, without a shadow of a doubt.
“At the end of the day, you know you ain’t got to worry about certain products and stuff like that.
“If I ever need anything, they send it to me straight away.”
List of all-time Darts World Champions
BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
- 1994 – Dennis Priestley
- 1995 – Phil Taylor
- 1996 – Phil Taylor (2)
- 1997 – Phil Taylor (3)
- 1998 – Phil Taylor (4)
- 1999 – Phil Taylor (5)
- 2000 – Phil Taylor (6)
- 2001 – Phil Taylor (7)
- 2002 – Phil Taylor (8)
- 2003 – John Part
- 2004 – Phil Taylor (9)
- 2005 – Phil Taylor (10)
- 2006 – Phil Taylor (11)
- 2007 – Raymond van Barneveld
- 2008 – John Part (2)
- 2009 – Phil Taylor (12)
- 2010 – Phil Taylor (13)
- 2011 – Adrian Lewis
- 2012 – Adrian Lewis (2)
- 2013 – Phil Taylor (14)
- 2014 – Michael van Gerwen
- 2015 – Gary Anderson
- 2016 – Gary Anderson (2)
- 2017 – Michael van Gerwen (2)
- 2018 – Rob Cross
- 2019 – Michael van Gerwen (3)
- 2020 – Peter Wright
- 2021 – Gerwyn Price
- 2022 – Peter Wright (2)
- 2023 – Michael Smith
- 2024 – Luke Humphries
- 2025 – Luke Littler
Most World Titles
- 14 – Phil Taylor
- 3 – Michael van Gerwen
- 2 – John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
- 1 – Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler