Luke Littler concern raised as 17-year-old closes in on millionaire status in debut darts season
PA
Luke Littler could subconsciously 'ease off' and not fulfil his full potential due to the amount of money he's earning at such a young age, according to former world champion Dennis Priestley.
The 17-year-old has emerged as the biggest name in the sport after his sensational breakthrough at the PDC World Darts Championship.
He backed up that fairytale run by creating history in winning the Premier League and then added the World Series of Darts title to his growing trophy cabinet.
His victory over Luke Humphries for the Premier League Darts title in May saw him pocket £275,000 in prize money.
That follows on from the £200,000 he picked up for finishing runner-up in the World Darts Championship to take his total career earnings to around £700,000.
Barry Hearn has predicted Littler to become a millionaire before the end of the year.
"Yeah I think it could be this year," he said. "I am pre-judging his performances, but I'd be surprised if he didn't to be honest with you.
"There is darts players out there already earning well over £1million - £2million per year as it is."
Darts has proven to be lucrative for its biggest stars in recent years with Michael van Gerwen winning over £11million in career prize money.
Many more have been made millionaires from the sport, but 1994 world champion Priestley doesn't want to see Littler get too 'comfortable' with the money he has already won.
Priestley, 74, named both Adrian Lewis and James Wade as two examples for Littler to follow.
"If Luke Littler gets too comfortable with the money he's got then he may unconsciously ease off and not do what he's been doing to make him the Darts player he is," he told Boyle Sports.
Dennis Priestley wants Luke Littler to follow in the footsteps of James Wade
PA
"He's still so young and in any other circumstance, he'd still be in school.
"Adrian Lewis was only a teenager when he came on the scene and James Wade was very young back then.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Adrian Lewis was also a teenage star like Luke Littler
PA
"They were both great talents like Littler. You've obviously got young Josh Rock, he could be the next Luke Littler because he has the youth on his side.
"I never thought I'd be calling James Wade a veteran, but he is one. Luke Littler could learn a hell of a lot from James.
"Wade is a very knowledgeable young fella. It's someone like him who Littler could latch onto and learn a lot from."