In the annals of professional darts, Luke Littler, a rising star, has recently been embroiled in controversy. Born in Runcorn, United Kingdom, in 2007, Littler has been carving a niche for himself in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events with his prodigious talent. At a tender age of 16, he holds the title of PDC World Youth Champion, a testament to his extraordinary darting skills.
Littler’s early successes include being the youngest player to secure victories in the World Darts Championship under both the World Darts Federation (WDF) and the PDC. His career has seen him participate in renowned tournaments such as the British Classic in 2023, the British Internationals in 2022, and the Irish Open in 2021, further cementing his commitment and prominence in the sport.
However, the young darting sensation from Warrington recently came under fire for a photograph in which he was seen holding The Sun newspaper. Littler promptly issued an apology following the social media backlash, stating his lack of full understanding of the implications of his actions at the time of the photograph.
The controversy ignited during his commendable run at the World Darts Championship, where, initially an underdog, Littler advanced to the last 16 at Alexandra Palace by winning three consecutive matches. Amid the increasing media spotlight, Littler was photographed on a Friday holding The Sun newspaper and a doner kebab, his traditional celebratory meal.
The controversy was fueled by the newspaper’s headline, ‘Darts star Luke loves a doner and The Sun… can’t beat a Pitta bully,’ a reference to the darts-themed game show Bullseye. The suggestion that Littler ‘loves’ The Sun sparked outrage, particularly among Liverpool fans, due to The Sun’s controversial coverage of the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989.
Responding to the criticism, Littler issued an online apology, distancing himself from the newspaper and its headline. He expressed regret for any offense caused and quickly shifted his focus back to his upcoming match.
However, controversy seems to shadow Littler, as another video of him went viral. This time, the dart player was seen being kissed by an unidentified girl, following his impressive victory against Brendan Dolan, securing his place in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship.
This viral moment, coupled with his incredible success, has earned him a record-breaking £100,000 payday for becoming the youngest player to reach the semi-finals. What began as a 150-1 outsider’s chance has now evolved into a compelling narrative with Littler being just one game away from the final. The potential rewards are tantalising, with the runner-up slated to receive £200,000 and the champion set to bag an impressive £500,000 in the grand finale.
