Luke Littler 'could QUIT darts before 22nd birthday' as he'll have so many millions in the bank
Luke Littler has enjoyed a quick rise to superstardom
PA
Luke Littler might walk away from darts in 'five years' time' out of boredom, former world champion Keith Deller believes.
The 17-year-old has taken the world of darts by storm over the past nine months after first breaking onto the scene at the Alexandra Palace.
He's broken numerous records since his professional debut and pulled off the biggest win of his young career when he clinched the Premier League title.
Littler has also won two Players Championship titles as well as two European Tour and World Series of Darts events.
Luke Littler has enjoyed a quick rise to superstardom
PA
Still just a teenager, Littler is seen as the future of the sport with some even suggesting he could rival Phil Taylor's dominance.
The 64-year-old won an unprecedented 16 World Championships in his career with his first back in 1995.
Littler still has some way to match Taylor's trophy cabinet, but Deller doesn't think the prodigy will get anywhere near.
Speaking last week at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship to growth partners Champions (UK) plc, he said: “Luke’s a brilliant player. But I don’t think he will be around long enough to be the best.
"He’s going to earn so much money that he might say in five years' time, 'I’ve got £15m and I’m not that bothered'.”
He added: “My only concern for him is that he has got to make sure he has good people around him.
"When you start with millions in the bank you can almost have too much money.
"So I hope he gets looked after. My advice to Luke would be to just ‘be sensible’.
"If he does, and he’s well looked after, he will have a fantastic life and a life that most people can only dream of.”
Deller won the World Darts Championship in 1983, which saw him pocket £8,000 in prize money.
Luke Littler won the Premier League title on his debut
PA
That's almost the same amount that every player is guaranteed to receive for qualifying for the main event.
Luke Humphries took home £500,000 for his win over Littler in the final earlier this year.
But Deller has 'no regrets' about missing out on the financial boom darts has enjoyed in the modern era.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
- Team GB star demands 'apology' from Olympic officials after controversially being denied gold medal shot
- Tom Daley retires an icon - but where does he rank alongside Great Britain's greatest-ever Olympians?
- Team GB left with £25.6m blackhole from Paris Olympics disaster despite beating Tokyo medal tally
Keith Deller won the world championships in 1983
GETTY
“Darts is massive now, yes. Arenas are sold out. VIPs are already sold out," he added.
"But I have absolutely no regrets. When I won the world title, the average wage was £60 a week.
"I bought a house in London with a swimming pool. Since then I’ve travelled the world.
"I’ve got a fantastic life. Plus, I’m still playing well. I am still up there playing really good darts, and long may that continue.”