Double world champion – known for his love of kebabs – says late night tournament finishes pushes players towards takeaways with ‘nothing healthy to eat’
A darts diet breeds sporting heavyweights, according to Luke Littler. He says it is tough to stay in shape because playing late at night drives you to takeaways.
Most matches do not finish until 9 or 10pm – particularly for the best players who reach late night finals. That leaves them few healthy eating options.
Double world champ Luke, 19, said: “It’s very tempting for us. At those times there’s nothing healthy to eat. At home you can make up for it a bit. We just eat standard meals. Or we go out and choose something relatively healthy, like chicken with rice.”
The arrows ace famously chomped his way to superstardom on kebabs as he reached the 2024 world championship final.
Luke’s favourite diner Hot Spot, in Warrington, Cheshire, launched its own ‘The Nuke’ special in his honour as he celebrated his London’s Alexandra Palace victories with trips to German Doner Kebab.
Though he lost that breakthrough final to rival Luke Humphries, Littler went on to win the next two world titles. But he admitted he still does not know his way round a kitchen and his culinary skills stretch to ‘toast’.
“Cooking? I know absolutely nothing about it,” Littler told Darts News. “I’ve really no idea how to make anything. Maybe some toast, but that’s about it.”
Stephen ‘The Bullet’ Bunting, 41, a two-time world championship semi-finalist, said it was hard to eat healthily on the darts tour. “It’s really tough at times,” he said.
“Because there are tournaments where you’re not done before nine or ten at night. And then many healthy restaurants are already closed.”
Three-time world champ Michael van Gerwen, 37, who has shed 3st after splitting from wife Daphne, said healthy living was a challenge.
“On tour it’s tough, I have to admit,” he said. “But it’s very important that you can make up for it at home and also keep moving well. If I’m at home by myself I prefer to eat out.
“I can cook. I can do everything myself.”
World No5 Jonny ‘The Ferret’ Clayton, 51, a former plasterer, said: “My diet isn’t great. If something looks good I’ll eat it. Maybe that’s not so great.
“But I’m 51 now so if I fancy something I just eat it. I love food. I love kebabs.”