Breaking news from the World Darts Championship highlights Luke Littler’s remarkable journey as he prepares for a massive £1 million final. Just hours before defending his crown against Gian van Veen, the teenage sensation was spotted enjoying a casual shopping trip at a local Tesco with his girlfriend, Faith Millar. This glimpse into his personal life offers a unique perspective on the pressures and preparations of a world-class athlete on the cusp of a monumental career achievement.
Littler, at just 18 years old, has captivated audiences with his electrifying performances throughout the tournament. He demonstrated remarkable composure in the semi-finals, dispatching Ryan Searle with considerable ease, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with Van Veen, who overcame a thrilling match against Gary Anderson.
What is Luke Littler’s secret to staying so relaxed under pressure? Despite the immense stakes, a relaxed Littler was seen calmly selecting a meal deal alongside his girlfriend and close friend, Morgan Burtwistle, also known as ‘Angry Ginge’. The candid snapshots revealed Littler, hood up, exuding an aura of cool preparedness for the impending final.
Angry Ginge, also sporting a hood, was present in the player’s section to support his friend during the semi-finals. He had previously missed Littler’s opening victory as he was engaged in filming ‘I’m A Celebrity! Get Me Out Of Here!’ down under.
Luke Littler is aiming to make history by becoming the first player in a decade to win back-to-back World Darts Championship titles, a feat last achieved by Gary Anderson.
Faith Millar has been a constant source of support for Luke Littler throughout the World Darts Championship.
The young prodigy, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, has an exceptional record at the Ally Pally stage, with only one previous loss in the 2024 final against Luke Humphries. However, he bounced back powerfully to defeat Michael van Gerwen 12 months prior, showcasing his resilience and ability to learn from setbacks.
He faces another formidable Dutch opponent in Van Veen for Saturday evening’s championship decider. Littler’s confidence is palpable, as he stated in his post-match press conference on Friday evening that he believes he is performing at a level comparable to legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in their prime.
Luke Littler was seen clutching a bag for life, enjoying a moment of downtime before the significant final.
“With the titles, the averages, the amount of nine-darters on TV. Maybe if I get to tomorrow [and win], then I might be on that same level,” Littler remarked, highlighting his ambitious mindset.
He further expressed his desire to join an elite group of players by winning back-to-back world championships. “It’s very special to just keep adding to these lists that I don’t know about, but now the main goal is to go back to back,” he added.
Littler remains grounded, stating, “Obviously I’ve got every right to think I can [go back to back], but I never, ever say I’m going to win it. I never say I’m going to win this and that.”
Reflecting on his performance, Littler believes there is still more to come. “I think I could have gone a bit better tonight. I obviously missed a few doubles, but I was very happy with the tops tonight,” he commented.
He anticipates an even stronger showing in the final. “I think there’s a bit more in the tank [against Gian van Veen]. Obviously, a near enough 105 tonight is very good. I think we can up it a little bit more tomorrow and get a bit better.”
His impressive statistics speak for themselves, with Littler noting, “I think now it’ll be 19 games played here and 15 ton-plus averages, so that’s not a bad stat at all. That’s obviously why I’m winning games here – hopefully another ton-plus average tomorrow and a win.”
