Luke Littler's best friend has described the shock she felt during the 16-year-old's run at the World Darts Championship.
Eleanor Cairns, a darts player herself, has revealed she was in regular contact with the teen during the tournament.
Littler won the hearts of the nation with his performances at Alexandra Palace at the turn of the year.
He upset all the odds to reach the final, where he was beaten by new world No 1 Luke Humphries.
Luke Littler's best friend has spoken on his success
Getty
Littler now has a Pro Tour card and earned a wildcard for the Premier League, which starts next month.
He is keen to remain grounded and last week paid a visit to his former coach at the St Helens Darts Academy, Karl Holden.
Littler also met Cairns at the academy after joining at the age of eight and the pair have remained close friends.
The 19-year-old, nicknamed Miss Dynamite, was surprised with how well Littler did at Ally Pally.
But she has predicted he will continue to be the 'chilled' teenager he was before his new-found fame.
Cairns told the BBC: "So we were in contact throughout the whole competition really, just checking up on each other.
"It was quite complete shock really every time he won a game.
"But yeah he's just done amazing.
"He's coped with it well, he's just going to stay the same I think.
"A chilled, 16-year-old lad."
Littler is back in action at the first PDC World Series of Darts event of 2024 on Thursday.
He will compete at the Bahrain Masters, facing Man Lok Leung in the first round.
Littler had some time away from the oche after the World Championship, going on holiday with his family.
But he is now ready to play as a professional for the first time.
He said: "It's back to business for me now.
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Eleanor Cairns has revealed her shock at Luke Littler's success
BBC
"I like playing all the time but after the World Championship, I wanted to get away, which me and the family did.
"Hopefully I can have a good event here to get back playing.
"I’m in this event in Bahrain, in the Dutch Darts Masters next week and then the Premier League.
"I don’t really have any goals, I’m just going to have to see what the darts do.
"The holiday was great to get away from everything and we did that.
Luke Littler came second at the World Darts Championship
PA
"My life’s changed and my family’s life has changed and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m getting.
"I've chilled out and not really thrown many darts since the World Championship final, but I'm sure that once I'm in the practice room I'll be alright, and hopefully I can have a good event here."
