Luke Littler has admitted he hasn’t asked his parents for anything for Christmas as the darts star looks to win the World Championship this winter.
The 17-year-old came through his clash with Ryan Meikle unscathed on Saturday night to book his place in the third round of the competition.
There were emotional scenes at Alexandra Palace, however, with Littler breaking down in tears as he battled nerves.
His parents, Lisa Littler and Anthony Buckley, were seen consoling the teenager – who confessed he didn’t really want to be there as he battled his way to victory.
Luke Littler has admitted he hasn’t asked his parents for anything for Christmas as the darts star looks to win the World Championship this winter
PA
Littler will be hoping to win the World Darts Championship despite his battle to keep his cool, with the teenager set to play Ian White in the next round.
And the youngster has now confessed that he hasn’t asked his parents for anything for Christmas following a stunning first year on the pro tour.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked what his parents have got him.
“I don’t even like saying it, but the money I have earned, I haven’t asked for anything.
JUST IN:Rob Cross ‘facing punishment from darts chiefs’ after rude gesture in World Championship defeat
“My mum and dad said they have got me something. I’ll be grateful but I haven’t asked for anything.”
After a pause, he then added: “Almost got everything.”
Littler has also shed more light on his nerves and his breakdown on stage.
The Warrington-born star was cheered on by those in attendance at Ally Pally but he struggled during the early stages of his clash with Meikle, losing the first set.
READ MORE: Why Tyson Fury has lost half of his earnings from Oleksandr Usyk fight after suffering defeat
He had to dig deep to turn things around, with Littler relieved he was able to up the ante and transform his situation.
The darts star said his ‘bottom fell out’ when he realised he had a big match on his hands.
He continued: “When I was leading up to it, I was perfectly fine, then it was ‘game on’ and the bottom’s gone, it fell out.
“I didn’t know what to do with myself. You have got to focus on yourself and I did.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua ‘will be retired by Christmas 2025’ as boxing legend makes big prediction
- World Darts Championship star diagnosed with rare condition after withdrawing from Ally Pally
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision on Marcus Rashford speaks volumes with Man Utd star causing alarm behind scenes
Luke Littler broke down in tears at the World Darts Championship over the weekend
PA
“Throughout the year, it has been fine. Against Michael (van Gerwen) at the Matchplay, it wasn’t nerves, he was just the better player.
“Tonight was something different.”
And Littler is keen to avoid a repeat when he faces White in round three, with the teenager saying he will ‘stop himself’ from getting nerves.
“I know myself, I am 17, I do what a 17-year-old boy does,” he said.
Luke Littler will face Ian White in the next round of the World Darts Championship
PA
“That was something else. I know from now on, I am going to stop myself getting nerves.
“I will think to myself, ‘I don’t need to be nervous now, I am through to the third round.’
“Before George Noble (the referee) said, ‘game on’, I was throwing 180s (in practice), then it was low 20s, low fives, low 19s. I pulled it out of the bag.”