Dartsman Luke Littler’s household hit again at ‘nasty and jealous’ trolls

Teenage darts prodigy Luke Littler has shrugged off trolls’ merciless jibes about his age, saying that baseless claims he’s older than 16 have been ‘occurring for years’.

‘The Nuke’, who got here inside a dart’s width of glory on the PDC World Darts Championship remaining in opposition to Luke Humphries on Wednesday, says he now ‘laughs off’ jokes about his look, refusing to provide them the time of day.

Littler’s fairytale ascent to fame within the final month comes after years of grafting to beat junior leagues; his story has ignited new curiosity in skilled darts and invited assist from the likes of David Beckham.

But ‘jealous’ trolls have been making reducing remarks about him for years – forcing mom Lisa to take to social media to dispel rumours that he drank earlier than video games to regular his nerves, even releasing his beginning certificates to show his age.

Regardless, Littler is having the final snigger: he walked away with a £200,000 paycheque final night time, is in line to make thousands and thousands from sponsorships and company gigs, and has been quick tracked into the 2024 Premier League Darts competitors.

Speaking to BBC News, Littler stated of hypothesis about his age: ‘It’s been occurring for years, When I used to be 14, they had been saying, “He’s not 14, he’s not 15”. But I’m not bothered. I do know I’m 16. 

‘It’s been occurring for years, however I simply block it out, snigger at them, do not even reply to them, do not give them the airtime.’

Littler has confronted hypothesis about his age and different merciless remarks for years, together with his household sticking by his aspect all through the jibes, which have allegedly come from the households of his fellow junior opponents.

In a put up on Facebook in February 2022 – virtually two years earlier than he rose to international fame – his mom Lisa wrote: ‘Sat right here considering how a lot Luke’s received his head on his shoulders, how mature he’s, what number of children his age smoke, drink, even smoke weed.

‘There was a bit of hearsay going round, undecided the way it began, however some absolute ok*** who clearly would not know Luke or us stated he must drink earlier than he performs darts.

‘We can guarantee you he would not. He’s not a fan of booze, simply the occasional blue WKD at Christmas and so on.’

Leanne Seddon, Luke’s mum’s cousin, stated: ‘Some years in the past when he was profitable every thing, different dad and mom of younger gamers began a hearsay he was mendacity about his age. 

‘To enter a contest it’s a must to give proof of age, however that did not cease them. It was pure jealousy and nastiness by adults attacking a younger teenager on social media.

‘To cease the hate his dad and mom posted proof of his age again then. 

‘And sure once more there are some who’re saying they significantly suppose he is mendacity.

‘Whether they actually imagine that or not I do not know. Some similar to to say outlandish stuff on social media for consideration, fun, or to trigger hassle or hate.’

A copy of his beginning certificates, obtained by TalkTV, proves the teenager is 16 – or will likely be for an additional two weeks, as he turns 17 on January 21. 

Trolls have additionally focused Littler’s girlfriend, Eloise Milburn, 21 with abuse, with some accusing her of being a ‘cash grabber’ and others commenting on the five-year age hole between the 2.

But Littler, who met the beautician whereas taking part in FIFA on-line on Xbox, says he’ll stick by his associate ‘whether or not anybody likes it or not’.

The media-savvy teenager has continued his unpretentious appeal offensive in a spherical of broadcast interviews at this time, showing on information and sports activities channels and Good Morning Britain to speak about his record-breaking WDC run.

He informed GMB that he was trying ahead to getting again to training with girlfriend Eloise, who can be darts participant, and wished to assist her attain the identical degree {of professional} competitors as him.

He stated: ‘Yeah, clearly I’ve simply performed in that one, so hopefully I can observe with Eloise and attempt to get her to the place I’m.’

Gamer Littler even confessed that he was irritated at himself for not bringing his video games console to London so he might unwind between video games – after admitting that he didn’t see himself staying in London as a result of he did not count on to succeed in the ultimate. 

In one other interview with Sky News at this time, Littler credited his dad and mom with charting his path to stardom.

He stated: ‘They’ve been with me because the very begin. My dad has taken me in every single place, driving me up and down the nation, even overseas, and my mum cheers me up, so does my dad.

‘It’s all about how I’ve performed over the previous few years, received sponsored by Target, received my very own darts out, my very own shirts, and my supervisor who pays for every thing. 

‘I’ve received a great group of individuals round me.’ 

‘Golden Darts’, as he was nicknamed by presenter Dan Walker following his semi remaining win over Rob Cross, additionally revealed that he had obtained a message of assist from his footballing equal, David Beckham.

Littler, a Manchester United fan, stated Becks had informed him: ‘Well accomplished, and as soon as a crimson at all times a crimson’. Beckham’s son Romeo turned out to cheer on Littler at Ally Pally on Wednesday night time with girlfriend Mia Regan.

And again residence in Warrington, his native takeaway has supplied him free kebabs for all times. Littler’s down-to-earth weight loss program – kebabs after the match, and eggs from a greasy spoon on the day of the ultimate – has received him legions of followers.

Hot Spot takeaway has named his common kebab wrap of donner meat, lettuce, onions and mayonnaise after him.

Manager Hamido informed the PA information company: ‘We simply name it the ‘Luke Wrap’ as a result of we’re so used to creating it for him. It’s each day, or most days, when he is at residence and never overseas competing.

‘He’s a prime lad and hopefully he’ll be coming again for some free haircuts and kebabs. That’s free for all times, little doubt.

‘We’ve stated from day one, he’ll be a world champion and he nonetheless will likely be. What he is accomplished on the age of 16 is unimaginable.’ 

Wednesday night time’s remaining turned Sky Sports’ largest ever non-football programme. A file viewers of over 4.8m watched the World Darts Championship remaining, with a peak of three.71m, the broadcaster stated.

PDC chief govt Matt Porter stated Littler was ‘opening doorways for a brand new demographic’. 

He informed BBC News: ‘There’s a whole lot and a whole lot of children on the market taking part in organised darts at an academy degree from the age of eight upwards. 

‘There’s a variety of expertise on the market and now perhaps he can encourage a technology of future champions.’