Luke Littler forced to change plans as darts star facing 'a lot of demands' amid Premier League run

Luke Littler forced to change plans as darts star facing 'a lot of demands' amid Premier League run

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler reacts to hitting a nine-darter at the Bahrain Masters

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 26/03/2024

- 11:37

Updated: 26/03/2024

- 11:39

The 17-year-old has had an extremely busy schedule since bursting onto the scene last December

Luke Littler continues to face 'a lot of demands' after his whirlwind first few months as a professional darts player.

The teenager has even been forced to delay starting driving lessons as he battles to ensure his schedule doesn't get too much for him.


Littler has taken the world of darts by storm since his record-breaking run at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

He has already won three PDC tournaments, hitting a nine-darter in each of them, and is well set to push for a play-off place in the Premier League.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has been forced to put his driving lessons on hold

Getty

Littler has enjoyed a host of media opportunities, appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show and Comic Relief, as well as being invited to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground and Carrington training base.

It is a whole new experience for the youngster who has surprised even those who knew of his prestigious talent before he appeared at Ally Pally.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter claims Littler is facing regular demands for his time but so far is dealing with it well.

He told the BBC: "It's clearly unprecedented. But it's been really encouraging how professionally and maturely he's dealt with the scenarios put in front of him.

"He's taken to it like a duck to water. You feel like he's been there for a long time, he's composed, he's calm, he enjoys himself.

"There are a lot of demands on his time, but there are a lot of benefits and rewards as well.

"He's modest and intelligent enough to understand he's in a fortunate position and he's grateful for those opportunities - but he's earned them."

Littler turned 17 in January, just a couple of days after winning the Bahrain Masters.

The BBC says he was 'desperate' to start taking driving lessons but has so far put those plans on hold due to his busy schedule.

Porter admits Littler has taken the sport to a new level, adding: "The phrase people are using is 'generational talent' and I think that's quite appropriate.

"He's clearly done more than the majority of youth talents have done - not just in darts but in any sport.

"He's opened up some doors to a new audience for us - darts was on an upward curve anyway but he's accelerated that growth."

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Luke Littler

Luke Littler has had lots of media opportunities since his emergence

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Littler currently sits fifth in the Premier League at the midway point in the league phase.

He needs to finish in the top four to qualify for the play-offs at London's O2 Arena in May.

Littler's manager Martin Foulds claims his performances so far in 2024 mean he doesn't have to enter every event.

Foulds said: "It's given him such an advantage [winning those events] - he's pretty much in every TV event for the rest of the year without throwing another dart.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has already won three PDC darts tournaments in 2024

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"There's no off-season in darts. You've got to travel to these events - you don't just time-warp and you're in Belfast, Graz, Munich, Rotterdam.

"It's unsustainable for any player to travel and play all of those events. When you're playing in the Premier League especially, travelling can take its toll on anybody.

"He's still a teenager, still 17 - if he wasn't playing darts, he's be doing an apprenticeship or still be in school. So there are duties of care we have to follow to look after Luke as best as we can."

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