WHAT do you get a young man who has the sporting world at his feet and millions in the bank?
That was the question put to Luke Littler on the eve of his 19th birthday on Wednesday as he lived it up with friends and family in Dubai – his first post-Worlds holiday.
Luke Littler is celebrating his 19th birthdayCredit: Getty
The Nuke won the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters earlier this weekCredit: PA
The Nuke is spending three days in the UAE city, where it is a high of 21 degrees, after on Tuesday night, his fifth TV title since the start of October.
He has flown over there with girlfriend Faith and his parents for a short break before the Winmau Masters – one of the few televised tournaments he has yet to win – start next week in Milton Keynes.
of the couple’s lavish hotel room and the penthouse pool which overlooks the oil-rich city.
She captioned the messages with “let the celebrations begin” and told her tungsten-throwing fella: “Happy Birthday my love – I love you always x.”
Normally Littler would be at home in the rain, wind and snow of Warrington whenever it is January 21, probably playing online via his Xbox computer console.
This time he is planning to “treat” himself while over in the Middle East, perhaps splashing out some of .
Yet apart from an expensive watch and decent pair of trainers, Littler is not a flashy type of bloke – and unlikely to go too crazy in the air-conned indoor shopping malls.
said: “I think I’ve just always been at home for my birthday and chilled out.
“Well, usually it’s Xbox (time). Chill out. But now I’m on a flight off to Dubai for three nights and yeah, I’m going to enjoy it.
“What have people got me this time? No idea. I’ll have to see when I get home if they have got me anything.
“What will I get myself? Well, we’ll have to see what’s about in Dubai. Definitely, I’ll have to treat myself.”
There will be time over the next few days for Littler to pause, lay down the darts and reflect on the “rollercoaster” journey he and his family have been on over the past two years.
Nobody in the sport’s history has had more impact in such a short space of time than Littler, who banked millions in prize money and .
Littler is spending time in Dubai with his girlfriend FaithCredit: Instagram.com/faithmillarr/
He has ruled out splashing the cash on a carCredit: Getty
There might be a temptation, while over in Riyadh and Dubai, to fork out some dosh on an expensive, gas-guzzling motor when he gets back home, like some of the millionaires drive in those desert playgrounds.
Asked if he would consider buying a flashy super car – at present he has a modest £39,000 BMW on the front drive – Littler said: “I’m not the type of guy to do it.
“Obviously, with the money I’ve earned, growing up my family and I, we’ve not had this sort of money.
“Obviously now I can give back to my mum and dad. They can travel with me. But yeah, I’m not going to go wasting it. I’ll just invest.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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