"I Haven't Picked Up a Dart Since Winning My Second World Championship," Says Luke Littler

LUKE LITTLER went cold turkey after winning a second world title – and has only just picked up a dart again.

The Nuke might be one of the most recognisable and famous people in British sport these days but is not exactly the hardest of workers.

Littler won his second Darts World Championship in a row just a couple of weeks agoCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Littler is also the youngest world number one in the history of the sportCredit: PA

Remarkably, he is known NOT to practise much outside of tournaments.
And after nailing a 147 checkout on January 3 to win the £1million PDC World Darts crown – for the second time – he put down his equipment for ten days to chill out at home.

It was only when for his first event since retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy that he bothered to throw at a dartboard again.

Speaking before his seven-hour flight from the UK, Littler said: “After the final, I said I would see everyone in Bahrain. That’s when I will throw my first dart again.

“It’s the same as the last two years. I won’t do much.”

Last week, SunSport reported that 10-year deal with loyal sponsors Target Darts, which will cover the next stage of his career and all his merchandise sales.

Though he and his family are rich beyond their wildest imagination, he insists the money will not change him whatsoever.

Littler, who leads the rolling two-year PDC World Rankings with £2.77million, said: “I’m just me. Outside of the darts, inside of the darts, I’ll never change. I won’t change for anyone. This is how I am.

“Even my mum and dad from the first Worlds were saying to me, don’t change anything, just be yourself. That’s how it’s going to be.

“I’m the same person. When it comes to darts, I’m a competitive guy. When I’m home, I can chill out with friends and family. I want to keep winning.”

Littler has won the past 20 games in a row since November 8, which has seen him dominate the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and Worlds.

Two years ago, he went to the Middle East, nailed his first televised nine-darter and came away with the Golden Palm Trees trophy, his first title since turning professional.

Stephen Bunting is the defending champion from 2025 but few would bet against Littler, who turns 19 next Wednesday, from extending his winning streak over the next two days.

The world No.1 said: “When I was a little kid, obviously playing well and playing at the pubs, all the old men were saying: ‘You are going to be a world champion.’

“I didn’t expect it to pan out like this but the support I’ve got from family, friends, sponsors, they have all helped me to get here. Obviously I have done my job playing well.”

Littler says he “has got a lot of years left in me in this sport” and one of his main aims is to stay at world No.1 for as long as possible.

was officially the best in the world for a record 3,343 days, the equivalent to more than nine years.

Littler aims to usurp Phil Taylor’s streak as world number oneCredit: Reuters

The 10-time TV major winner said: “When I turned No.1, there was a list of world No.1s shown on TV.

“Obviously Phil Taylor was up there for thousands and thousands of days. I want to go on and break his record for the most days at world No.1. Yeah, we’ll see what we can do.

“It does go to show the confidence that I have got.

“I’m playing on all these big stages all year round. Knowing you can win games on the biggest stage of them all.

“I want to be remembered for the titles that I win. The nine-darters I hit. I want to put down a legacy here. I want to win so many trophies. And yeah there are so many years left.”