If Luke Littler was going to Ally Pally to watch the World Darts Championships this Christmas instead of being the world champion, he’d dress up as Nintendo’s Mario or Luigi.
It’s hard to believe less than two years ago he could have done that. Outside the darting world, he was an unknown Warrington schoolboy, before his extraordinary run to the final changed his life forever and it changed the whole sport.
“Oh, it’s changed massively, not for just myself, but for my family, but it’s changed for good reasons. At the start it was tough with all the media attention, but as the years have gone on, I’m getting used to it,” he said.
“At the start it was just crazy to see the amount of people that did get involved with it. But ever since my first game at the World Championships up until now, the support has been the same. There’s more people getting into it, and yeah, it’s all down to me.”
Littler, who is now 18, isn’t arrogant, just very matter-of-fact.
He’s now a millionaire and has recently bought his first car – a “BMW One series, brand new” – after passing his driving test.
“That’s my other life outside of darts and obviously people don’t see us outside of the darting world. They only see us on stage, but we’re just the same person,” he said.
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But did the youngest ever world number one get just a little nervous about the driving test?
“I wouldn’t say it was nerve-wracking cause there was only a few routes around Warrington, so I kinda knew what route I was going on. I was doing lessons before it, and my driving instructor took me on a particular route and come my test, it was the same route, so it was very easy,” Littler said.
But he’s made most things this year look easy, winning the World Championships, the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship.
Nerves do not seem to be part of his make-up even when he’s behind in matches or the stakes are high: “I wouldn’t say there’s really any nerves, I just enjoy it. I love producing my best darts, I love walking on, seeing the fans and there’s no need to put any pressure on yourself.
“If you win, you win; if you lose, you lose. Obviously, if you’re losing, it’s not a good feeling and you’ve gotta get yourself out of that situation, get yourself back into the game, and that’s what I’m good at.
“I’m good at turning it up a notch or two, and I can get in front of my opponent and then go on and win the game.”
He has single-handedly brought a whole new generation of fans to the sport.
His fellow competitors are mostly twice his age, but they seem to enjoy the refresh and profile he has given the sport.
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There’s no question Littler loves what he does and could probably get even better, “if I put the practice in, I probably could get better. But at the minute I’m happy with how I’m doing,” he said.
And does he put much practice in? “Not really, I’ll be honest!”
