Inside Luke Littler’s thrilling summer plans as darts star takes in FA Cup final, New York and Disney World
LUKE LITTLER probably will get more attention walking down Wembley Way today than any of the multi-millionaire footballers in the mega Manchester derby.
The most famous teen in the sporting world knows he will be stopped by many fans and asked to pose for selfies after his meteoric rise.
Following an incredible season which saw the 17-year-old become the youngest-ever Premier League champion, he will watch his beloved Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
He will then jet off to New York on Monday for the US Darts Masters, followed by a family holiday in Orlando.
His arrows pal Nathan Aspinall has refused to accompany him under the Arch this afternoon.
If he did, the Asp joked he would “literally spend five hours having pictures with him and the fans”.
Though Littler will try to remain incognito and pull his cap right down after reaching another level of fame by clinching his Prem triumph.
Grown men sang his walk-on song on Thursday night as they jumped on the Tube, as well as in the 14,000-strong O2 Arena.
Littler said: “I’ll obviously get stopped for pictures and everything.
“I’ll stop for a few but people have got to realise I have got to get on with my day as well.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“I just want to sit down and hopefully watch United win the trophy.
“I’m confident. I watched the final last year at home on the telly but now I have got the opportunity to watch it in person.”
Then on Monday he heads off to New York in preparation for the US Darts Masters at The Theater inside the iconic Madison Square Garden venue.
When he walks down Fifth Avenue or goes shopping at Macy’s, there is a good chance he will be recognised.
After that, he and his family will head down to Florida for a holiday and a chance to forget about treble 20s and bullseyes.
Following a rollercoaster six months, he will relax by jumping on the rollercoaster rides in Orlando.
Littler said: “I just want to go to the theme parks and have fun. It has been a crazy time. But I don’t reflect on it that much.
“I have been twice before to Orlando. Obviously, I went to Wrestlemania — that’s where my walk-out song came from.”
Humble Luke respects the game, his family & rivals
By Rob Maul, Associate Sports Features Editor
THE THING about Luke Littler is that he’s pretty much the same kid now that he was before all the madness started.
Okay, so his life has gotten a tad crazier.
And he’s certainly far richer than he could have ever imagined, earning close to £1million in prize money and mega-money endorsements.
Yet underneath it all he’s still a teenager that remains, encouragingly so, unaffected by all the fame and fortune.
The flashiest thing about him are his trainers, which are worth several hundreds of pounds.
He is a 17-year-old who still wants to play Fifa on his computer, spend time with his girlfriend Eloise, grab a Nando’s with his family and catch up with his uni friends back home.
The fact he seems unchanged is the most remarkable thing and it is a credit to his parents, who are from humble stock in Warrington.
His mum Lisa works in a Yankee Candle shop while his dad Anthony has only just given up the taxi driving to help his oche-playing son.
They have grounded him and he’s a very down-to-earth kid.
Whenever you speak to Luke, as I have done many times, admittedly just after the intensity of a big match, he rarely says anything untoward.
How he has dealt with the media and intense microscope is astonishing.
He is not afraid to back himself or speak his mind but he never says anything derogatory about an opponent.
There is always respect for a rival and yes, he may be a showman and throw audacious checkouts, but it is not designed to embarrass anyone.
We knew he was good. Just not this good. And we simply don’t know how good he could become.
After sealing qualification for the four-player Premier League Play-off Finals, the Warrington youngster says he relaxed over the last few weeks and approached the contest with “freedom”.
But practice made perfect as he ditched his usual routine of playing Fifa video games during the break between the semi-final win over Michael Smith and his final triumph against world champion Luke Humphries — which included that incredible nine-darter.
Littler will be next on TV during the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool in July and, on this form, he would be favourite for the Phil Taylor Trophy.
Luke the Nuke is a born winner — it is why he stuck it to the doubters on stage on Thursday night.
Do not be fooled by his youthfulness and tender years, he simply wants to win THE LOT.
He said: “I am a major winner now. I’d love to win them all but you can’t. It won’t happen.
“It was one of those weird feelings where people were saying I wasn’t good enough for the Premier League.
“I had just got to the World Championship final. I accepted the invite and went on to win it.”
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final – and the £275k top prize.
Check out all of our Luke Littler stories here.