Nathan Aspinall has broken the news that other darts stars ‘don’t want to hear’ by revealing that he is working with Luke Littler. The Stockport native and Warrington star have run riot in the Premier League over the past few weeks, with Littler winning night 10 on Thursday.
The Nuke moved to the top of the Premier League table with his back-to-back victories, beating Michael van Gerwen, Aspinall and Gerwyn Price to claim the night in front of his local crowd. Litter’s rise through the ranks over the past four months has seen him attract fresh eyes to the world of darts, and the teen has quickly asserted himself as the poster boy for the sport as a result.
The 17-year-old has been keen to ensure that he does not allow his newfound fame to wipe him off his feet, with his focus solely being on winning more competitions and enjoying a normal teenage lifestyle of playing FIFA with his friends in the evenings.
Littler has taken everything in his stride so far, with Aspinall now in his corner and steering him in the right direction. The world No. 4 has revealed that he is helping the breakout star, though he does not believe that his actions will be popular among his rivals.
He explained: “Off stage, I’m working with Luke to try and help him – the rest of the lads probably don’t want to hear that because if you add my mental strength to his ability, we’re all in trouble. But what he’s doing for the sport, as a 17-year-old, is incredible. Forget about his darts – he’s not a darts player, he’s a celebrity. I’m a darts player, he’s a celebrity – and that’s the difference.
“The BBC have never cared about darts, but on Wednesday Luke and I were there (in Salford) for five hours. That isn’t because of me or Michael van Gerwen – it’s because of Luke Littler. He is helping out the rest of the boys as much of himself by projecting our sport to a whole new level.”
Littler was unsure about being labelled a celebrity though, responding to Aspinall‘s comments by saying: “Maybe if you look at my following on social media, I might be classed as a celebrity. But I’m just a lad doing what he does best. Am I (a celebrity)? I don’t know. I’m just a dart player. I just get on with it, whatever comes my way.
“It was good to be on BBC Breakfast. When I was a kid I used to watch it. I’m wary of saying things and I don’t back it up, but at the minute I’m saying things and do back it up. Do I pinch myself? I try and live my life as I have done. Travelling every Wednesday, playing these guys I’ve been looking up to in the Premier League… I just thrive off it. It gets me pumped up for it.”
