- Luke Littler is set to appear on the reboot of the much-loved TV gameshow
- Sporting pundits believe such deals could help him amass a career fortune
- And 1994 darts world champ Dennis Priestly believes it could eclipse Beckham’s
Luke Littler ‘could eclipse David Beckham‘s net worth’ pundits believe, saying lucrative brand deals, television appearances and competition winnings could take his earnings into the stratosphere.
The teenage darts sensation is virtually an instantly recognised name among sports fans and now has the chance of becoming a household name after it was announced he will guest on the reboot of the much-loved, darts-themed TV gameshow, Bullseye.
Primetime television appearances could bring him into the homes of millions more, and make him a name synonymous with the sport, such as Eric Bristow and Bobby George.
It could also help boost the 17-year-old’s bank balance significantly, with Littler’s net-worth believed to be worth approximately £650,000.
While it’s unknown how much Littler could be set to net from any appearance on Bullseye, his competition earnings could give some clue to his future earning power.
Luke Littler will reportedly be a guest player on the Bullseye reboot this Christmas
‘Luke Littler is still so young, and his career could go one way or the other,’ Priestley told host Wayne Mardle on his Club 501 YouTube channel.
Littler took home £200,000 for making the final of the World Championship at the beginning of the year and £275,000 when he claimed his first major title with the Premier League in May.
While this is a few pounds shy of Beckham’s speculated £400million personal fortune, according to the Mirror, sporting pundits – such as dart’s 1994 world champion Dennis Priestly – believe ‘Luke the Nuke’ could be on a career trajectory that potentially sees him eclipse that of the footballing icon.
‘I just hope he’s surrounding himself with the right people who will keep him grounded. If they can do that and he can remain at the top of his game for 10 or so years, then he’ll be worth more than David Beckham.
‘However, it’s hard for any player to remain at the top for that length of time. Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry managed a decade at the top of snooker, but it’s very difficult to go on for longer than that.
‘Phil Taylor dominated darts for nearly 20 years but that is not the norm.’
Littler took home £200,000 for making the World Championship final at the start of 2024
The World Championship runner-up and Premier League champion will join new host Andrew Flintoff on the Christmas special of the revived quiz show, according to The Sun.
Littler’s incredible and rapid rise is said to have played a big factor in the decision by ITV chiefs to bring the show back.
The show, which ran from 1981 to 1995 and drew audiences of up to 20 million, features three pairs of contestants, each consisting of a darts player and a quizzer, competing in darts games and quizzes to win cash and prizes.
This special edition will see Littler and others competing to win money for charity.
A TV source close to the production, said: ‘Luke wasn’t even born when Bullseye was on our screens with original host Jim Bowen, but Luke knows this is a plum role to have landed.
‘It’s also a coup for the makers of the new Bullseye as Luke is now one of Britain’s best-known players. Producers moved swiftly to sign him shortly after the programme was recommissioned by ITV.’
Pundits say Luke Littler’s current career trajectory could see him eclipse the earnings of footballing icon, David Beckham, who’s believed to have a net worth of approximately £400m
World Championship runner-up will join new host Andrew Flintoff on the revived quiz show
Former cricketer Freddie Flintoff has be slated to host the reboot – his first hosting duties after recovering from a horrific accident filming BBC’s Top Gear – saying he couldn’t be more pleased to be in the hot seat.
‘Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid,’ said the former England cricket ace. ‘I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this.’