‘I performed Luke Littler at darts when he was 12 – he completely smashed me’
Steve Brown will always remember his first encounter with Luke Littler.
Littler is a comparatively new identify to the broader public, having damaged onto the scene throughout the 2024 Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship. The 17-year-old, who was 16 throughout the worlds, loved a blockbuster run to the ultimate at Ally Pally, the place he misplaced to eventual champion Luke Humphries.
The teenager’s unimaginable performances noticed him achieve fame around the globe. He was even the topic of an Instagram publish from WWE icon John Cena.
READ MORE: Premier League Darts preview – on sale now forward of Luke Littler’s debut
READ MORE: Luke Littler learns first Premier League opponent as fixtures are revealed
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and much extra
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we wish you to affix us!
Through the app, we’ll ship you the sassiest showbiz tales, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…together with the newest breaking information after all.
To be a part of our neighborhood, all it’s a must to do to affix is click on on this hyperlink, choose ‘Join Chat’ and also you’re in!
No one will be capable to see who has enroll and nobody can ship messages apart from the Daily Star workforce. We additionally deal with our neighborhood members to competitions, particular provides, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions.
If you don’t like our neighborhood, you’ll be able to try any time you want. To go away our neighborhood click on on the identify on the prime of your display screen and select Exit group. If you’re curious, you’ll be able to learn our Privacy Notice.
Littler adopted up his heroics in north London with victory within the Bahrain Masters, the place he additionally hit a nine-darter towards observe associate Nathan Aspinall. However, whereas Littler’s shows have stunned the broader public, these in darts circles have been conscious of Luke the Nuke’s extraordinary skills for a while.
Just ask Brown. A former PDC skilled who performed on the World Championship and the World Matchplay, Brown is the founder and chairman of the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC).
Will Littler win the Dutch Darts Masters? Let us know within the feedback part beneath
(Image: PA)
The JDC has been going since 2010 and supplies a protected neighborhood house for kids to attempt darts for the primary time. It permits them to enhance at their very own tempo in an atmosphere that encourages studying and prioritises having enjoyable.
For those that are extra critical about taking the subsequent step in direction of being an expert, there may be additionally the Advanced Tour. Littler and fellow PDC Tour Card Leighton Bennett maintain each performed on the Advanced Tour earlier than graduating to the large stage.
(Image: PA)
Brown knew about Littler’s skills lengthy earlier than then. The 43-year-old, often known as ‘Bomber’ throughout his time on the circuit, confronted Littler in a web based match-up throughout lockdown.
“We deal with thousands of kids, but what sticks in my memory was during lockdown,” Brown says in an unique interview with the Daily Star.
“I was still on the ProTour and playing online tournaments to keep my arm in and remain competitive. I played Luke online – he must have been 12 at the time. I was speaking to his dad as he was there to make sure that he was fine.
“I spoke to him and he said ‘he’s playing really well at the moment.’ I thought ‘well, he’s 12 years old, how good can he really be?'” They turned out to be well-known final phrases for Brown.
“He absolutely smashed me,” the Bristol-born star admits. “So that was a bit of a reality check in terms of where my game was at as well!”
While Littler reaches new heights, Brown and the JDC are persevering with to assist the event of younger darts gamers within the UK and around the globe. There at the moment are over 1,000 youngsters within the JDC system, with over 60 academies throughout the planet.
You can learn an prolonged interview with JDC founder Steve Brown within the Daily Star’s large Premier League Darts pullout, which is on sale now!
