Luke Humphries makes immediate Luke Littler request after winning World Darts Championship final

The tournament debutant had taken a 4-2 lead in the final and looked on course to complete the fairytale story.

But Humphries showed his talents by winning the next five sets to become world champion.

There was a nice moment between the pair of them after the match as Littler embraced his opponent.

And there was clearly a shared mutual respect between them both with Humphries lending his support for Littler to join him in the Premier League this year.

Humphries said: "I really hope he's in the Premier League because, if he don't want to play in it fair enough, but I think he'd be a pleasure to play alongside him this year.

"He's one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that."

Littler was regretful after the match, conceding he made too many costly errors at the big moments.

But the teenager offered his congratulations to Humphries for winning the biggest prize in darts.

He said: "It has been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me.

"That was the only negative, I just couldn't hold my own throw and I didn't win.

"Every game has been good but that one has just really annoyed me, especially the three missed to keep it going.

"That's what the crowd wanted but fair play to Luke, he deserves it."

Littler now has to wait and see whether he will be included in the list for the 2024 Premier League season.

The top four players on the Order of Merit are automatically picked and that features Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall.

But the other four picks are often wildcard selections, giving Littler a chance of being included.