MODEST Luke Littler will splash out some of his £1.5million winnings on a basic Mercedes-Benz car – which he cannot drive yet.
The exciting teenager reached a career pinnacle when he humbled Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest world darts champion ever.
The Nuke, 17, receives a whopping £500,000 for winning six games but he has become a multi-millionaire within 14 months when prize money and sponsors deals are factored in.
Other youngsters would eye up a flash Ferrari or Lamborghini if they were in the same position.
But ahead of his 18th birthday on January 21, Littler would prefer a nice Mercedes motor, with the cheapest A-Class going for about £30,000.
That is despite the fact he has yet to take any driving lessons – and can you imagine what the insurance will cost?!
Littler, who hails from Warrington, said: “I’ve always loved a Mercedes A-Class.
“Just a small car. Last year I was looking at driving and I loved Ford Focuses.
“But now, I’ve gone up in the world just a little!
“What model? No idea. Just an A-Class. I don’t know the different models.
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“I’m going to have to do my lessons before I get into my twenties when it’ll be too late and I can’t be bothered.
“It won’t be a birthday present. I think it would be a birthday present from me to me.”
Littler – who lost in the 2024 world final to Luke Humphries – became a national hero following his outstanding exploits with three darts in his hand.
Mum Lisa Littler was in tears at the end while ex-taxi driver dad Anthony Buckley – in his son’s replica darts shirt – cut a more composed figure in the VIP seats.
Littler said: “My dad looked so settled throughout the game. When I was looking over to him, he didn’t look nervous.
“I knew myself that if he’s not nervous then I just need to play with freedom.
“I look at everyone who’s there. But he’s probably the main one.
“He said last night that he wasn’t nervous but at 4-0, he started to get that feeling in his stomach.”
This historic, unprecedented victory was celebrated by the kid himself until 2.30am and he spent most of the evening until then checking his phone for updates and messages and rewatched the winning double.
Now up to No2 in the world, Littler said: “It’s been crazy. I only had four hours’ sleep.
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“I went back and turned my phone off airplane mode. I think I lost 20 per cent of my battery by the time the notifications came through.
“I replied to so many people. Then it was a case of going to sleep and getting prepared for the media.
“When I walked into the practice room, everyone went mad.
“The support is great from my family and friends and the management team. For now, it’s a case of, ‘I’ve won my first world title, so let’s relax and chill for a little bit.’
“My manager just tells me, ‘You know how good you are, go out and do your best.’
“It’s a case of job done here in London. Now it’s a case of going home and recharging the batteries.”
David Beckham, his Manchester United hero, sent him a direct message on Instagram, saying congratulations and well done.
And it was a case of Double 10 – unquestionably his favourite checkout – to No10 as Sir Keir Starmer jumped on the tungsten bandwagon.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: “Mesmerising performance from Luke Littler to win the World Darts Championship.
“Congratulations Luke on being the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion. An inspirational performance under such pressure to lift the trophy.
“You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved, not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole.”
The irony here, of course, is that Littler was too young last year to vote in the General Election as Labour swept to power.
Littler left the players’ hotel in Islington around lunchtime on Saturday and headed in a people carrier back to the North West with two heavy trophies in reinforced cases.
The plan is to display them in trophy cabinets in the family’s new mansion, which he has bought thanks to his big-money year on the oche.
Littler said: “When we moved into the house, there were two cabinets on either side of the TV.
“We were like: ‘There’s only one thing going in there, and that’s all the trophies.’
“Will I get a man cave? Not at the minute. I just have to see where it goes.
“Yeah, I’m very different to a normal 17-year-old. I am glad I’ve gotten into this darts world.
“I don’t go out, wandering around the streets. I have really knuckled down on this sport.”
