Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen – World Darts Championship last RECAP: Live rating and set-by-set updates as 18-year-old champion wins Alexandra Palace title once more

Right then. That’s all from us here tonight – thanks so much for your company!

It was a bit shorter than expected but, when you have the relentlessness of Luke Littler, what can you do?

Keep an eye on the site throughout the evening for more reaction and coverage but, for now, allow me to leave you with Kieran Gill’s report from Ally Pally, which you can red by clicking here or below.

Thanks all! Bye!

A heartwarming moment as Littler celebrates with his family, with warm moments shared with his mum, dad, and girlfriend. They then all pose with the Nuke and the trophy.

They must just be so proud. Imagine it.

If he needed any other reward, the Nuke has also taken home the Ballon D’art, which is awarded for the most 180s in the tournament. He managed 73, with Gary Anderson next with 59 and van Veen third with 57.

1,127 were hit in total throughout the tournament, meaning Paddy Power donated £1.127million to Prostate Cancer UK just through their Even Bigger 180 initiative. I applaud.

Wayne Mardle, Sky Sports:

GVV has been as good as Littler going into this final but over this format it is so hard to do it against him. He doesn’t find it a chore.

He is a magnificent talent an he is right up there with Taylor and van Gerwen.

There we go then. 128 players, over 1,000 180s, zero nine darters, and, when all is said and done, Luke Littler wins.

Van Veen leaves the stage and Littler will now pose for some photos. First with the trophy, and then I’m sure with his family.

He is going to dominate for a long time, you feel.

Luke Littler, Sky Sports:

We are always going to have battles on everything. We might come back here in the final. We will battle week in, week out.

I didn’t think it would be like this. The family and friends have always been there and it’s not stopping any time soon. We need to keep adding more titles, we can’t stop here.

Gian van Veen, Sky Sports:

I said it all week, with Rock, Nijman, the young boys are here, we are taking over the guard, he has done it, but this game is for young players now.

Gian van Veen, Sky Sports:

He was not in the mood to give me a chance. It was maybe not my best game but he played phenomenal. I missed too many chances to make it even but he is a fantastic player and why he is world No1 by a margin and back-to-back world champion.

I would have liked to have lifted the title but given him a game. I lost too many legs and missed too many chances but I am proud to get to the final. No3 in the world and Dutch No1, I am very proud.

I am disappointed to not win the title. Luke is a fantastic player, I wanted to give him a game, I played OK, but hopefully 2026 is a fantastic year.

Luke Littler, Sky Sports:

The money is life-changing, for everyone. Every round is doubled. This win has increased the gap and I am in the clear as No1.

First purchase? I don’t know. I can’t change car just yet. We will have to see.

Luke Littler, Sky Sports:

It feels amazing. I have to say thanks to John McDonald and George Noble, what fantastic careers they have had. I think I am a bit late to the party!

I have been wanting to say this about what happened with Anthony Joshua. Rest in peace to his friends. Just like he said, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice.

I wasn’t happy 1-0 down but I told myself to give it time. I started off on the left and moved to the right and it came together. Gian can be very happy, in every set he was there.

I had to keep going. I have done it. I will get Ginge to sort the wasp, someone has to put one in here, they don’t come out of nowhere, no chance!

£400,000 for van Veen, who is also up to World No3. Not bad.

Chris Hoy has also taken to the stage, on crutches after he broke his leg.

And it’s a record £1million for Littler. Not that he needs it!

The Nuke lifts the trophy after, as John McDonald tells us, becoming just the fourth player to go back-to-back.

A sensational, sensational talent.

What a way to win it. That was not a contest.

Pure emotion from Littler as he runs to the side and lets out a few roars before breaking down at his table. His family and friends share a moment.

The two players share a hug. We’ll see this a few more times.

Van Veen needs to hold then break. Simple.

140 to start and Littler loses a dart to score 40.

180 for Littler and he leaves 147! GVV can’t leave a finish.

MATCH DART…. 147 AND D15 TO GO BACK TO BACK!