Nathan Aspinall claims darts players are 'sick of seeing' Luke Littler's face all over social media.
Aspinall is a stablemate of the teenage sensation and has paid tribute to his incredible impact on the sport in recent months.
Littler has already won three PDC tournaments since bursting onto the scene at the World Darts Championship at the age of 16 last December.
He is well-placed to push for a playoff spot in his maiden Premier League campaign, currently sitting second ahead of night 10 in Manchester.
Nathan Aspinall says darts players are sick of seeing Luke Littler on social media
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Aspinall has known Littler for several years, with the pair both managed by the same agency.
The 32-year-old revealed how he only narrowly beat Littler in their first meeting when he was just 12 years old.
Aspinall also opened up on the reaction of the youngster's father, who was not happy his son lost.
He said on the Manchester is Red podcast: "The first time I came across Luke, I think it was in Chester in a tournament and I beat him 4-3.
"I think he was aged four! No, he was around 12 and wow, I just thought 'who is the kid?'.
"I remember seeing his dad with him and he was dead critical of him because he'd lost.
"I was thinking mate, he's 12, and I was in the top 16 in the world at that time and I said 'give him a break'.
"His dad said 'no, he needs to learn' and that hard talk over the years has probably produced one of the best players in our sport. He's amazing and what else can you say?"
Littler has enjoyed huge media coverage since his emergence, including appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show and BBC's Comic Relief.
Aspinall claims he and fellow players are fed up with seeing the 17-year-old's face popping up everywhere.
But he believes it is to Littler's credit that he has had such a massive influence.
Aspinall said: "Us players are sick of seeing his head on social media because he's just making stories every week and that's a credit to him, it's not just the media who are obsessed with him, he's bringing them to him.
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Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall are stablemates at the same agency
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"He had an amazing run at the Worlds, then hit a nine-darter against me in Bahrain, then he won a tournament, then he won the first Pro Tour and Euro Tour, so that's full credit to him.
"I beat him recently and that was the first time since he's been professional.
"Obviously, we've practised together in the past and generally I would get the better of him, but since the Worlds, he's a completely different animal.
"I needed that for myself because I couldn't lose three on the bounce to him."
Nathan Aspinall is looking forward to playing in front of the Manchester crowd
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Aspinall is fourth in the Premier League heading into his homecoming in Manchester.
He is pleased with his form, saying: "I’m in a good place, both mentally and in terms of my game.
"I played here last year and it was the first time I had played in Manchester. I was a bit nervous because it was my homecoming.
"I will be ready this time. My confidence is back, so I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.
"I think my walk-on is legendary at the moment, and I cannot wait to hear over 9,000 fans singing ‘Mr Brightside’."
