Luke Littler hopes to inspire other young people to play darts after his historic world championship run.
The 16-year-old newcomer took the sport by storm when he was beaten by world number one Luke Humphreys in the final at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night. He was just one victory away from becoming darts’ youngest champion and earning sporting immortality, but he lost 7-4 in the final.
His performances over the past fortnight have earned him celebrity status and transcended the darts world as everyone wants a piece of the action from the teenager from Warrington.
Littler left school in the summer with just one GCSE to concentrate on darts, which he hopes will inspire other children.
“I got a lot of people’s attention,” he said. “It’s been incredible and I hope I’ve attracted a lot of young people to come on board and give it a try. If they don’t like it, that’s fine, but I would recommend they give it a try because it’s a good sport, Once you’re in it, you’ll love it forever.
“If you like darts, why not join a darts board and try it like me or other top professionals.”
Littler’s life was changed forever when he received the £200,000 prize for finishing second and gained even more earning power thanks to his celebrity status.
“I have to be myself and be the Luke Littler that I’ve been here for the last three to four weeks,” he added. “It’s changed me a lot, I’m already in the top 32 and I have some money now, which will help.
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“Being in the top 32 will definitely help me qualify for almost every event this year. It’s a bad start to the year, but it’s also a good start to the year. I’ll take the positives.”
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I can’t wait to get back on my Xbox. I don’t have it with me because I don’t think I’m going to make it to the final. I only practice for half an hour a day because I get bored and I My Xbox is right next to me.”
