NATHAN ASPINALL insists that Luke Littler has become an A-list CELEBRITY and not a darts player.
The World No4 was beaten by Littler for a second week in succession as the teen sensation won back-to-back Premier League nights to top the table.
RexA rival says Luke Littler is more of a celeb than a darts player[/caption]
But Aspinall reckons that his stablemate is more of a celeb rubbing shoulders with the stars like Liam Gallagher and Lenny Henry after appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show, Comic Relief and on the BBC this week.
The Asp also insists that he learns NOTHING from his young pal, saying: “He’s not a darts player, he’s a celebrity. I’m a darts player, he’s a celebrity. That’s the difference.
“But what’s he doing, because he’s a celebrity, he’s projecting darts to a whole new level.
“I did a day of media on Tuesday at the BBC, BBC have never cared about darts. All of a sudden me and Luke Littler are in there for five hours doing media, they want us.
“That isn’t because of me or Van Gerwen, that’s because of Luke Littler. So you’ve got to give credit where credit is due.
“He is helping us boys out as much as himself. But darts-wise, he’s great but he hasn’t got what we’ve got at the moment.
“I learn nothing from Luke Littler. He’s 17. At the end of the day he learns from me. Simple as that.
“But he is a fantastic talent. What he’s done for the sport. Forget about his darts ability because it’s not about his darts.
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“He’s got to learn from us. I don’t learn from him, he learns from me.
“Even though he’s just beat me and ironed me out the last few times. I’m trying to help him. He’s a better dart player than me, hands down.
“But he hasn’t got a head like I’ve got. I’m trying to talk to him and help him to try and get that mindset in his game.”
Littler leads the table and is heading for the Premier League finals night at the O2 on May 23 in a bid to win on his debut. But gritty Aspinall looks set to join him in the race for the title.
He added: “What makes Nathan Aspinall is that he’s still the same person he was at 14-years of age. I’ve never changed and I never will.
“I’m not going to name no names but players in the world of darts when they achieve success, it changes people.
“I’m a chav from Stockport, always will be. Say what you want. I’m a chav and I’m proud of that.
“I work my knackers off to provide for my family. To provide amazing holidays because I miss so much.
“I just go on that stage and work my balls off to provide for my family.
RexNathan Aspinall, pictured with the teen, was beaten by him for the second straight week[/caption]
“I have a smile on my face and enjoy every single moment. Anyone who leaves school at 16 wants to be a footballer, golfer, dart player or whatever.
“I’m living my dream. I’m travelling the world earning money by being a sportsman.
“If you can’t be happy doing that, then you need to do something with yourself.
“If I’m losing then I look at the picture of my kids on my darts case and remind myself what I’m doing it for.
“I’m not fully soppy but at the end of the day I’m a dad. The most important thing to me is Kirsty and my two girls. I think that’s why I’m a very tough opponent.”
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