Darts supremo Barry Hearn has warned Luke Littler there are that six promising young players primed to potentially challenge his dominance in future World Championships.
The revelation comes as 17-year-old Littler prepares to return to Alexandra Palace, where he became an overnight sensation last year after reaching the final as a 16-year-old.
The sport has seen unprecedented growth in the past year, with Littler’s impact driving significant increases in viewing figures and ticket sales.
Since bursting onto the scene, Littler has proven his initial success was no fluke, claiming 10 senior titles this year as well as the Premier League of Darts.
His remarkable performances have seen him amass more than £1million in prize money through his achievements at the oche.
The teenager’s meteoric rise has transformed him into one of darts’ most prominent figures, all before his 18th birthday.
Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, told Sky Sports: “He was my Christmas present last year. I am so difficult to buy for because I’m older, and I have got most of the things I want.”
“And then someone gave me Luke Littler, and it is the ultimate Christmas present I could have had.
The darts boss added: “Be careful because there is half a dozen really top youngsters that are following in the footsteps of Luke Littler. So he may not have it quite as easy as he thinks.”
Luke Littler was compared to Tiger Woods
PA
Television viewing figures and ticket sales have seen a dramatic surge in the past 12 months, driven by the ‘Littlermania’ phenomenon.
Speaking to the BBC, Hearn emphasised Littler’s transformative impact on the sport, revealing they had been monitoring his progress since he was seven years old.
“Luke Littler is the next Tiger Woods for darts so they better get used to it, and the only way to compete is to get better,” Hearn declared.
This year’s World Championship kicks off at Alexandra Palace on Sunday, December 15.
Littler, who enters in the second round due to his top-32 ranking, will face either Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle.
Looking ahead to his return, Littler said: “Good luck to them both. It should be a really interesting game, because Ryan’s playing really good, and so is Fallon.”
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Luke Littler was beaten by Luke Humphries in last year’s finalGetty
“Either way, I’m very confident, whoever wins. I just can’t wait to get on stage.
“Ever since the Worlds [last year] it has been crazy – this is where it all started for me.
“The buzz is there, I can feel it.”