Luke Littler became a sensation during the World Championships after dominating the competition aged just 16.
Not even out of school yet when he started impressing with his skills, Luke ‘The Nuke’ seems born to play darts, and has made it his mission to be the best.
Making his debut this year, Luke quickly became the one to watch – and since then has debuted at the Premier League and won after landing a nine-darter in the final.
He’s managed to take home nine titles across the year, but it all started at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Speaking ahead of the series launch, Luke talks about his career so far, his experience at the World Championships, and what it was like competing against his idols.
What is it about the PDC World Championship at the Alexandra Palace that makes it so special? What are your memories watching it growing up?
I’ve watched it a lot in the past and it was always the dream to play at Ally Pally. It’s the pinnacle of darts and great as it’s a big part of Christmas.
You always want to play in a sold-out arena, and it doesn’t come any bigger.
How important or disruptive can the Ally Pally crowd be?
The crowd is amazing. We had a bit of banter last year with them singing how I had school in the morning, and then just supporting me more and more as I progressed into the later rounds.
It’s a great feeling when you hit a big out and the crowd cheers, so I really enjoyed milking it a little when I was on stage. It gets my adrenaline going and it helps me perform.
Looking back, what’s the one moment or memory that stands out from the 2024 World Championship?
Just being there was amazing, as I have always wanted to be on that stage. When I kept winning and going on and on it was great.
Playing my idol RVB was great, and the final was special even though I just came up short.
How does it feel that darts is having a moment in the spotlight, with huge interest beyond the world of sport?
It feels a bit weird, really. It’s great to see darts becoming more popular and I hope that it continues to grow.
It’s been a big part of my life already, so I’m thrilled. After the World Championship last year, I was suddenly being invited to football games and stuff like that, which was amazing, but that does obviously come with more commitments which can be hard to juggle.
What does it feel like to hit a 9-darter on stage at a major tournament?
It feels amazing. There’s nothing like it. The crowd goes wild so it’s great fun. It just makes you want to hit more.
Who, how and when did you come up with your darts nickname?
Me and my dad were just sitting in the pub. I was like 13 or 14 and I didn’t have a nickname at the time, and it just went well with my name.
We sat down thinking and then Luke the Nuke came to us, obviously because it rhymes.
Can you describe what it was like to face your darts hero Raymond Van Barneveld – someone who you idolised growing up, even copying their signature celebration?
Raymond was my idol, and I used to do his celebration when I was younger, so it was amazing to even be playing him my first time at Ally Pally.
My form was good going into the match, so I was confident, but beating him was a bonus.
He was very gracious after and said that he hoped I would go all the way. I fell just short, but it meant a lot to me for someone I respect so much to be so nice.
It never seemed you lacked self-confidence, but did anything change in the 2024 World Championship as you knocked out seeded players? How far did you think you could go at the start?
My original aim was to win one round, so when I kept winning it just felt like bonus after bonus. Then when the final got nearer, I started to believe more and more. I had a chance to go 5-2 up in the final, but it wasn’t to be, and Luke Humphries won, which he deserved.
I try not to put pressure on myself, and nor do my family, friends or sponsors, which is great.
You can win life-changing amounts of money for big tournaments – does it make the training worth it? What was the best thing you spent it on?
Well, everyone knows that I like to play FIFA/EAFC, so I’ve been spending it on points in the game. I don’t think about the money that much, really.
As I am playing so much, I don't always get time to train as much as I would like but I throw as much as I can to make sure my form is good.
As the tournament went on you were getting interviewed by people from around the world and had Man Utd players and the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer talking about you – can you describe what that was like?
It was crazy, really. I loved going to Man Utd, meeting players and playing them at darts. It was unbelievable. It’s been a rollercoaster and people have been really nice, and I just ignore the negative ones on social media.
How did you keep your nerve on stage in the final with that raucous crowd, knowing millions are watching at home? You never seemed fazed by it – is that fair?
I don't really get nervous; I think because I am so young it doesn't really faze me. I love playing in front of a crowd, the energy it gives me definitely helps to spur me on and it was so nice (and crazy) how much they got behind me last year.
What were your 16-year-old mates doing while you were at the PDC? What would you have been doing had it not been for darts?
Just the usual stuff, really. A lot of them watched me and they were all supportive. I’ve always wanted to play darts, so once I started to be successful it was hard to imagine what else I would be doing.