GERWYN Price has issued an apology after losing his cool in Monday night’s PDC World Championship semi-final defeat by Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace.

Tempers flared on the oche as Scotland’s Wright beat the Gwent third seed 6-3 to book his place in tomorrow night’s final against Dutch three-time winner Michael van Gerwen.

Wright was unimpressed with what he saw as over-exuberant celebrations from Price during the clash, and the pair did not shake hands at the end of the match.

There had been comments from Markham's Price ahead of the semi-final which annoyed the Scot, who tapped the Welshman on the arm and exchanged words with him after taking the opening set.

Following his loss, Price, 34, left the venue without speaking to the media, but took to social media in the early hours of this morning to say Wright was “out of order”.

However, having deleted his original post, Price later returned to Twitter to apologise for his behaviour.

He wrote: “I’ve had time to reflect on last night’s game and… I let myself, my fans and my family down in the biggest game of my career.

“I’ve been in this position before in games but never in a World Championship semi-final.

“I over-reacted to what Peter did after set one. It might have been banter but I was so in the zone and just missed a load of set darts and I wasn’t ready for what he did.”

He added: “I apologise to everyone who thinks I’ve done wrong and, yeah, maybe I was a bit over the top.

“It’s a difficult place up on that stage and sometimes emotions get the better of you.

“I also apologise for not shaking his hand. It’s not a rule but I should have bitten my tongue, done it and walked off.

“At the time I just wanted to get off the stage and get home.

“It’s been a tough year for me and to come out at the end of it playing as well as I have, I should be really proud.

“I have personally apologised to Peter for my reactions. I wish Peter and Michael all the best in the final.”

Price also said he had apologised personally to Wright, who did not celebrate his victory because he was "focused and concentrated".

"He wanted me to concentrate and I did just that – and he lost," Wright added.

Earlier in the tournament, Price accused Simon Whitlock of "pathetic" slow play during their fourth-round match.

Price secured a breakthrough victory on the PDC circuit at the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts, but was later fined more than £20,000 for his behaviour during his wins over Whitlock and Gary Anderson.

The financial penalty was later halved on appeal, and Price went on to lift the title again in 2019, beating Wright 16-6.

Darts' biggest event will reach its climax tomorrow night as van Gerwen and Wright go head-to-head for the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy and £500,000 winner's prize.