He has had hearts fluttering among TV soap fans for 25 years but this time it was  Michael Le Vell’s pulse that was racing when the cameras started to roll.

Better known to millions as Coronation Street mechanic Kevin Webster the actor was in the spotlight for very different reasons at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall last night.

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Michael threw caution to the wind and was in the first match on stage in a pro-celebrity darts challenge in front of a wildly cheering 1,200-strong crowd and countless more watching the action live on ITV4.

“This is a lot more nerve-wracking that shooting a scene from The Street,” the 42-year-old confessed as he prepared to step up to the oche. “You get butterflies if you are performing in a strong story line but this is a completely different feeling. I have been acting all my life but now I am out of my comfort zone. This is a real challenge.

“I’ve thrown loads of darts at the Rovers Return but that is light years away from what is happening here.

“I have been practising for up to four hours a day for three weeks and still wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night with the words of the compere ringing in my ears. He is shouting: ‘Michael, you have scored nought.’ The professional players make it look easy but I can assure you that it is not. But I have made a fool of myself so many times that I suppose once more will not make any difference.”

Snooker ace Steve Davis was another feeling the pressure as he turned away from the backstage practice board with a sad shake of the head. “I am no good at this,” he conceded. “ I think any of the celebs that perform creditably tonight can feel proud of themselves. Secretly we all want to do well. I am a sportsman and like to win at anything but I only picked up a dart for the first time in five years earlier this week and so I was not too hopeful. The problem was that when I got out there it 

did not seem to be my arm throwing the darts.” England rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall could not wait to get into the bear pit atmosphere of The Civic.

 “It will be hot and sweaty under the lights,” he said.  “I like hostile environments and really plan to enjoy it. I am a social darts player and have a board at home.” The partner of Royal show jumping star Zara Phillips revealed: “She does not play darts but we watch it on TV sometimes. She is away at a dinner tonight but will be recording this so that she can mock me later.”

Michael Goodman, a 62-year-old lifting gear inspector from Uplands Road, Dudley, was with daughter Joanne, aged 14, and partner Jackie Swallow, a 42-year-old school crossing warden, at their first darts show. “We have come to see the celebrities,” he explained. 

Richard Hutton a plumber, aged 24, and girlfriend Claire Westwood, 21, and a nurse, both from Albion Street in Wolverhampton city centre, concentrated on the professional players.

 “We love watching darts on the TV but it is a hundred times better live,” they declared.

Rehab facilitator Karen Hayes, 46-year-old mother-of-one from Oakwood Road, Walsall, who was with husband Richard, a 43-year-old fabricator, confessed: “I am not sporty and do not play darts but this is great. The atmosphere is incredible.”

There was more than just pride at stake for both the pros and the celebrities in last night’s challenge. The winning pair – Olympic javelin medallist Steve Backley and darts pro James Wade – each won £8,000 whilst even the worst performers among the 16 famous faces who took part pocketed £2,000 in the curtain raiser for the £340,000 Grand Slam of Darts that starts at the Civic today and continues until November 23.

Thirteen times world champion Phil Taylor scooped the £100,000 winner’s cheque when the tournament was staged in Wolverhampton for the first time last year. “The Civic has great character and a marvellous atmosphere with the fans really getting involved,” he said.

“On top of that it is only 29 miles from my home in the Potteries and so it is almost like playing in my back yard.”

Phil’s eye is on the main prize again this year but he was still delighted to take part in last night’s challenge. “I love it,” he confessed.

 “I have got a lot of friends among the celebrities  and it is fantastic to see them all looking so nervous for a change.”