Luke Littler insists he is closer than ever to his girlfriend following his World Darts Championship final loss to Luke Humphries.
The 16-year-old has been dating Eloise Milburn since before the tournament at Alexandra Palace.
The pair have come under scrutiny due to the five-year age gap between them.
Milburn, 21, is an amateur darts player herself and a talented singer who supported Littler at Alexandra Palace in the latter stages of the tournament alongside the teenager's family.
Luke Littler has spoken on his relationship with 21-year-old Eloise Milburn
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Littler was beaten 7-4 by Humphries on Wednesday to end his fairytale run at the final hurdle, after one point leading the world No 1 by four sets to two.
He held a news conference on Thursday afternoon and spoke about his relationship with Milburn.
Asked if his performance has brought the pair closer, Littler said: "Yeah we're going to stick together now.
"Obviously we have been for the past few months. So we're just going to stick together whether anyone likes it or not. We're not bothered."
Littler revealed this week that he met Milburn during a game of Pro Clubs on EA Sports FC 24.
Milburn's mother Amanda came out in defence of the relationship after criticism of her daughter online.
She told the Daily Mail: "There’s been a lot of horrible stuff being posted online about my daughter and my husband Phil and I are very angry about it.
"Eloise has been accused of all sorts and that she’s only with Luke because of his money and fame.
"But that’s a total pack of lies and disgusting. She’s not with him for any of these reasons.
"She doesn’t care about his money or his fame, she’s with him because she likes him. It’s as simple as that."
She added: "It’s really hurtful when we read these comments, many of them from so-called darts fans.
"My daughter is none of these things that these vile people are making out.
"She’s a lovely young girl who is in a new relationship and people should allow them to get on with things.
"Eloise has made it clear that she doesn’t want us going because she thinks things are still at an early stage between her and Luke.
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Luke Littler has been dating Eloise Milburn since before the World Darts Championship
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"They’re in a growing relationship, not a very serious one although that might come later.
"I have asked her for tickets because me and Phil would love to see Luke in action, but Eloise just says: ‘Mum, please, I don’t want you meeting him just yet, it’s too soon.'
"I’ve never been to the World Darts Championship, and you would have thought that I’d be able to get a ticket now that my daughter is dating Luke, but sadly that’s not the case."
Littler beat world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross on his incredible run to the final.
But Humphries proved too tough a test for the kebab-loving star.
Luke Littler has enjoyed a rise to stardom in recent weeks
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Littler has stunned viewers with his quality at such a young age.
But he revealed he doesn't practice anywhere near as much as some of his rivals.
He said: "[There] must be a lot of natural talent, [because I] don't practice."
Asked for passing advice to any keen young darts players, Littler said: "Just keep at it. If you love the game. Keep at it, make friends, and stick to the board."
