Josh Rock was quick to share his condolences with Callan Rydz after his victory at the PDC World Championship. The Northern Irishman secured a 4-1 win over his English rival during Monday’s evening session, but was reluctant to soak up the limelight – instead, turning his attention to Rydz’s recent heartbreak of losing his grandfather.

In a classy message, Rock said: “Obviously I was the man on a mission, it was at the back of my mind. But I want to say sorry to Callan for his family and their loss of Callan’s grandad. I’m up here to do a job, and I done my job, but I want to say my condolences to the Rydz family.”

It comes as Rydz confirmed the passing of his grandfather last week, writing on Instagram: “There’s not enough words to say. RIP Grandad. I’ll promise to try and make you and grandma proud up there. I love you.”

The 27-year-old had spoken about his grandfather after his 3-2 win over Daryl Gurney to make the last 32 of the PDC World Championship, explaining: “I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m struggling. It’s hard when you have stuff going on back home. I came here to try and forget about it.

“It’s hard. I play for my family. I’ve got a job to do and thankfully I got through. I have too much stuff going on back home. I hear the crowd sing my name and I smile. But I wish I was home.

“We are preparing for this to be the last Christmas. I haven’t practised either. I’ve been ill. Had that flu that has gone around. I was in bed for two days. I will go home now, see how the big man is.

“Listen once he goes, I will probably consider packing in. Probably. But I don’t know. I have a decision if I want to keep doing it. Christmas Day, we have a tradition, if my grandad is OK, we will go to the pub. Have a laugh with the lads. Then have dinner.

“I normally go out on his mobility scooter, driving round Bedlington like an idiot. I put it on the high and fast mode and fly around everywhere. My grandad likes a laugh about that – and that makes me happy. I play for my family. My grandma, grandad, my mum, they got us into darts. Everything I do is for them.”

It was a slow start for Rock during the clash at Alexandra Palace, losing the first set to Rydz before staging a remarkable 4-1 comeback. Speaking about the battle, he explained: “To be honest, I think I had to go a set down to kind of wake up cause the first set I didn’t really start.

“Callan went up 1-0 on the first break, and then I decided to wake up after the first set. Happy with the performance, but happy to win also.”

He added: “I’m not here to obviously make the numbers up, I’m here to win the title. So hopefully I keep playing the way I can and the way I know I can, hopefully I walk away with that title.”

Up next for the 24-year-old is a quarter-final match against Justin Hood come Tuesday, December 30. A win there will see him take on the victor of Michael van Gerwen’s game against Gary Anderson.