Luke Littler will wake up this morning on the biggest day of his 16-year-old life so far, knowing a World Darts Championship final on the Alexandra Palace stage awaits. The teenage arrowsmith sensation has a date with new world No 1 Luke Humphries to etch his name into the history books tonight.
Littler has cashed in on the nation’s annual darts fever when the worlds come around, winning over millions of hearts with his remarkable sporting story.
The Nuke has dropped just six sets across just as many games en route to the final, dispatching former world champions and other title holders with ease.
If Littler’s comfortable triumphs against Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding, Matthew Campbell, Raymond van Barneveld and Brendan Dolan didn’t convince, Tuesday’s 6-2 mauling of Rob Cross drove home his credentials.
Humphries reminded Littler of the daunting task he faces in the final by annihilating Michael van Gerwen’s conqueror, Scott Williams, 6-0 with a 108.74 average in the second semi-final.
But the kebab connoisseur, a lifelong Manchester United supporter, has revealed he has received words of encouragement from four big names from the club’s past and present during his memorable run.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
“Obviously, I’ve got a lot of followers now! I’ve had a message from Luke Shaw from Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand,” Littler revealed after Tuesday’s memorable triumph.
“And I had a message off Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my game against Barney [Raymond van Barneveld], I think.
“So it’s just crazy… people who I’ve looked up to, especially at my club, Manchester United, wishing me luck.”
Littler also linked up with Donny van de Beek last week as he beat Canadian Campbell 4-1 as part of a blockbuster evening session, with Michael Smith and Van Gerwen in action too.
Van de Beek enjoyed his time at Ally Pally before completing a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt on January 1. He could join the Bundesliga outfit in a £12million deal in the summer.
Littler, from Warrington, was pictured smiling with the Dutchman on Instagram, captioning the image ‘Legend’.
He has met other football stars during his quick rise to fame in the last few weeks, including James Maddison, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale.
And there will undoubtedly be more where that came from, even if his magical path to the World Darts Championship final ends in defeat tonight.
