Luke Littler ‘does not need to play darts now’ and warned by rival his ‘downturn’ is inevitable
JAMES WADE expects “phenomenal” Luke Littler to hit a downturn but hopes the magic continues.
The former World Matchplay champion beat Ross Smith to book a place in the semi-finals at the Winter Gardens tonight.
But Wade, 41, clearly admires the rise to stardom of the 17-year-old sensation.
He said: “Luke is phenomenal. I didn’t even realise the stats. In the first four tournaments he’s played on the floor, the Euro Tour, Premier League, he’s hit nine darters in all of them!
“Do I believe it will continue? I’m not sure. I agree with Glen Durrant.
“He said it will either be domination for two years or ten years and I’m not quite sure which one it will be.
“Let’s be honest, Luke’s probably earned more money than most darts players in a year, so he doesn’t need to play darts now if he’s careful with his money.
“So will the magic continue? I hope so, because darts needs someone like him. He’s influential, financially viable and a great pull but I’m interested in seeing what he’s doing.
“He will have a downturn, 100 per cent it will happen. But what I want to see is, rather than the UK get on his back and give him a hard time, just support him a little bit.
“He will struggle and he will find things hard and then we’ll really see what he is all about.
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“But for what he’s done for the game so far, people like me can only be indebted to him.”
Littler has looked like a seasoned pro rather than a rookie thrower, despite being just 17.
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final – and the £275k top prize.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.
The youngster has won the Bahrain Darts Masters, the Poland Darts Masters and the Premier League this year, as well as two Euro Tour titles in Austria and Belgium.
His efforts have seen him travel across the globe, including a trip to New York to take part in this year’s US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden.
But the hectic schedule, although allowing him to flourish in his professional life, has taken a toll on Littler’s love life.
The rising star has split from girlfriend Eloise Milburn, 21, after dating for 10 months.
A source said: “Luke and Eloise have broken up and it is still very raw.
“He is naturally very upset but they have agreed to stay friends.
“Luke and Eloise tried hard to make their relationship work but with his darts schedule, he is travelling non-stop and it has become increasingly difficult for them to spend quality time together.
“He is so focused on his sport and that is taking up so much of his time.
“Calling time on their relationship seemed to be the only way forward.
“There is no bad blood between them and Eloise is completely supportive of Luke’s career.”