Luke Littler in huge bidding war over film about his life and it could be backed by Anthony Joshua
TEENAGE darts sensation Luke Littler was last night at the centre of a major bidding war over the rights to a big-screen blockbuster about his short life.
Boxer Anthony Joshua’s production firm SBX Studios is believed to have tabled a multi-million pound offer yesterday to tell the 16-year-old’s amazing story.
Other filmmakers have bid for the rights as Luke has grabbed the public’s imagination with his PDC World Championship performance — and a Rooney-style documentary is also being filmed.
Around 15million watched his 7-4 final defeat to Luke Humphries — at home or in packed boozers.
A source said: “There is a real fight to buy the film rights to Luke and his team have been getting loads of offers.
“Anthony’s production company put one on the table yesterday and are really keen to get Luke on board.
“As a sportsman, Anthony has watched Luke’s incredible rise and thinks his story is incredibly inspiring. He would love the chance to help tell it and thinks their offer is one of the best Luke will get.
“Luke and his team will have a lot to consider. It’s going to be a very exciting 12 months ahead.”
The film would tell how Luke, of Warrington, Cheshire, began playing darts at 18 months and how his dad, Anthony, nurtured his career.
It would include Luke’s final at The Alexandra Palace in North London on Wednesday for which he got £200,000.
Insiders say more cash will flood in and reckon the teen could make up to £40million thanks to advertising deals, endorsements and sponsors.
Sky are making the documentary which goes behind the scenes of the competitive darts world.
Cameras have followed players as they compete in their local clubs ahead of the World Championships, and managers and fans have been interviewed.
Dorothy Street Pictures, who produced Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, are making the film.
Sky Sports, meanwhile, said Luke’s final was its highest-ever rated sports event outside of football.
There were 4.8million recorded views.
Sky Sports boss Jonathan Licht said: “Even more of the nation have fallen in love with the darts over the last few weeks.”
Champ Luke throws party
TEEN sensation Luke Littler had an early night after his world darts final defeat — while his opponent got a bar reopened to party ’til 3am.
The downbeat 16-year-old did not celebrate at the players’ hotel — despite banking £200,000 by reaching Wednesday’s Ally Pally final.
Meanwhile Luke Humphries’ entourage arrived back at the Hilton Islington in North London to find bar staff shutting up because there were no punters.
A woman begged them to reopen and vowed they would drink enough for 100 people.
Humphries, 28, who earned £500,000 with his victory, returned with the Sid Waddell Trophy shortly after midnight — and then partied ’til past 3am with friends and family.
One hundred and donate-y
By Sam Blanchard
DARTS sponsor Paddy Power will donate £1million to the charity Prostate Cancer UK after world championship players scored 180 a record 914 times.
The bookie had pledged £1,000 for every maximum scored but yesterday said it would round up the sum.
New world champion Luke Humphries, 28, will donate some of his £500,000 winnings after his partner’s dad’s brush with the disease.
The world No1 won the Ballon d’Art for scoring the most 180s in the tournament — 73 in total — and 23 in the final alone.
Runner-up Luke Littler, 16, ranked second with 63.
Laura Kerby, of Prostate Cancer UK, said of Paddy Power’s Big 180: “We’re thrilled at the success of the campaign and it’s encouraging 92,634 people have completed our online checker.”