Luke Littler has had an amazing 12 months on the oche (Picture: Getty Images)
Luke Littler Sky Brown and William Ellard have made it onto the shortlist to win the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award for 2024.
The darts sensation became a huge story at the start of the year as he reached the World Championship final at just 16 years old.
Littler was beaten by Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace but he has gone on to have a brilliant first year as a professional, winning 10 titles, including the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts.
He hopes to end 2024 in style with another run at the World Darts Championship, which starts on 15 December, and begin the new year in style as the event ends on 3 January.
The 17-year-old is also in contention for the prestigious BBC award and on the announcement that he is on the three-person shortlist, he posted on X: ‘What a year🤯🙏🏼.’
He added: ‘It’s been an amazing year and to be in the running for Young Sports Personality of the Year tops it off. If I’ve brought more fans to darts, then that’s all that matters to me.’
16-year-old Brown is also in contention, having won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in the women’s skateboarding park.
Sky Brown won bronze in Paris (Picture: Getty Images)
This followed her bronze in Tokyo at the previous Games and she managed the Paris medal despite dislocating her shoulder the day before travelling to France.
‘I’m honoured to be shortlisted for Young SPOTY this year,’ said the teenager skating star. ‘Skateboarding has levelled up so much since the last Olympics. I’m so excited to see everyone push even harder and what that means for LA.’
Ellard, 18, claimed two golds at the Paris Paralympics, winning the S14 200m freestyle in world record time and the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay. He also won silver in the 100m butterfly.
William Ellard claimed gold at the Paralympics this summer (Picture: Getty Images)
The Beccles talent also won two golds at the European Championship along with a silver and bronze.
‘To be shortlisted for this award means a lot to me. Some of the greats – like Wayne Rooney, Ellie Simmonds, Phil Foden and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix – have won in the past, so to be nominated this year is a special feeling,’ he said.
The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year replaced the Newcomer Award in 2001 and can be won by sportspeople aged 17 or under on 1 January this year.
Former winners include Andy Murray, Wayne Rooney, Ellie Symonds and Tom Daley.
Brown is hoping to win it for a second time having been given the award in 2021.