LUKE LITTLER’S darts heroics had sporting royalty, Hollywood stars and even political figures stunned.
The 17-year-old sensation beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the World Darts Championship final.
RexLuke Littler became darts world champion by beating Michael van Gerwen[/caption]
PALittler kisses the trophy[/caption]
Littler – who scooped the top £500,000 cash prize – became the youngest darts world champ in history.
And it sent social media into a frenzy as fans and celebrities alike were stunned by the teenager’s performance.
Follow all the action from the World Darts Championship as it happens with SunSport’s LIVE blog
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted: “Mesmerising performance from @LukeTheNuke180 to win the World Darts Championship.
“Congratulations Luke on being the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion. An inspirational performance under such pressure to lift the trophy.
“You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved tonight, not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole.”
Movie star Matt Lucas said: “Wow! Congratulations!”
Golfer Justin Rose posted: “Just awesome… Congratulations (world) Champion.”
Actor Martin Kemp wrote: “Congratulations @LukeTheNuke180.”
Marcus Rashford posted a pic of the pair together
United star Harry Maguire was full of praise
As was John Terry
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Fellow darts players were also full of praise, Adrian Lewis said: “Congratulations well deserved @LukeTheNuke180 unlucky @MvG180 Great effort.”
Luke Humphries, who beat Littler in last year’s final, wrote: “Congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180 on becoming world champion.
“I think it was very well deserved! Unlucky @MvG180 never gave in and showed a valiant effort!”
The legendary Phil Taylor added: “Huge Congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180 what a fantastic performance and now a Champion of the World.”
Bobby George posted: “Congratulations @LukeTheNuke180 you certainly weren’t a fluke young man. Fantastic!”
James Wade said: “Congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180 on becoming a world champion. Classy performance.”
Littler was also shown support from his beloved Manchester United.
Harry Maguire posted: “Ridiculous. Congratulations.”
Marcus Rashford simply reposted a picture of the pair together at United’s Carrington training ground.
Chelsea legend John Terry also posted: “Phenomenal @lukethenukelittler. Congratulations.”
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Littler – who was presented the trophy by Sir Chris Hoy – has banked more than £1.5million in prize money since turning pro in January 2024.
And he admitted to learning from the mistakes of last year’s final loss to Humphries as he breezed past the great MVG.
Fighting back tears, Littler said: “I can’t believe it. We both played so well.
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy, but you have got to get through a tough field.
“I learned a lot. Nobody knows this but earlier today, I watched the whole game back against Luke. I just had the visions.
“I said in interviews that I needed to get to a quick start and that’s what I did.
“Michael was behind me, he was right behind me the whole way through.
“The first game against Ryan Meikle was the game that really mattered. Throughout I have settled.
“At 2-0 up, I started getting nervous, but I told myself to relax. To get it over and done with, that was special.”
AFPLittler was full of emotion after the win[/caption]
PAHe became darts youngest world champ[/caption]
PAVan Gerwen congratulates the teen sensation[/caption]