Darts sensation Luke Littler, 16, says he’s been ‘non-stop’ since he was 18-MONTHS-OLD and was tipped to succeed at 10
LUKE LITTLER has been playing darts “non-stop” since he was just 18-month-old.
And his dad Anthony tipped him for stardom when was just 10 in 2017.
Luke “The Nuke” has taken Alexandra Palace by storm at this year’s PDC World Darts Championship.
Aged just 16 he has stormed into round three by beating Christian Kist and Andrew Gilding.
Littler has guaranteed himself at least £25,000 in prize money for his efforts.
But the Runcorn-born starlet isn’t stopping there.
Discussing his remarkable success with the BBC, Littler said: “By the age of four I got on to the proper board. From 18 months on I have been non-stop.
“When we moved to Warrington when I was eight or nine we started going out to pubs four to five times a week.”
Littler will be up against Canadian Matt Campbell in round three next week.
And he is bound to have all of Ally Pally behind him.
On the North London faithful, Littler told talkSPORT: “On the stage, the crowd was just non-stop.
“They were even chanting, ‘He’s got school in the morning’. Which is unbelievable.
“When I throw my darts, I can’t think where to go for. I couldn’t compose myself cause it’s just nonstop in there. It’s unbelievable.”
Littler has gained plenty of new supporters this month, but dad Anthony has always been his No1 fan.
Responding to a post from Junior Darts Co on social media, Anthony wrote in 2017: “Watch out for 10-year-old Luke Littler this year!”
Whoever goes on to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy will earn themselves £500,000 in prize money.
But Littler isn’t concerning himself with that, saying: “This is just a free shot for me.
“It’s my first year, I can add a bit of prize money on to my ranking.”
Darts icon Phil Taylor believes that Littler can go on to win the whole tournament.
The “Power”, 63, told GB News: “He was brilliant. And I love it. He’s 16-years-old and he’s got a chance here to make himself £500,000.
“I can see he’s dedicated. And I can also see he’s got that look in his eye that he wants to win, which is the two things that you definitely need.
“I honestly believe he thinks that he can go and win the tournament and I totally agree with him.”