Luke Littler: Friends and supporters tell of pride ahead of final

Luke Littler fever has gripped the nation as the teenage darts sensation prepares for his big final - and there is nobody more proud of him than his friends and fellow young darts players.

The 16-year-old, who grew up in Warrington, Cheshire, became the youngest person to reach the PDC World Darts Championship final.

As excitement builds ahead of his clash with Luke Humphries, pride is bursting in the areas where the star grew up and nurtured his talents.

During his early years, Littler lived around the corner from St Helen's Darts Shop - which has been packed throughout the teenager's stunning run.

One fan who has a particular interest in tonight's match is 13-year-old Joseph Westby.

Himself a darts player, he has just got through to the final of the Junior Darts Corporation Masters in February - where he will play none other than the current junior champion Luke Littler.

"He's doing really well," said Joseph, who will be carefully watching his future opponent later.

"I want him to win, as then I get to play the world champion. And he's a local lad too."

Joseph added: "The game against him for me is going to get bigger and bigger. It's once in a lifetime stuff. He's only a couple of years older, so he's bringing out the best of me."

His mother Lyndsey Westby said Littler's success "really emphasises that this is not just a pub sport, it's a very psychological sport".

"I think it's great for the youth and it'll make the sport take off even more now amongst them."

Littler's friend Eleanor Cairns, who met him when they played at St Helens Darts Academy together, said: "It makes me quite emotional every time he plays. I couldn't be more proud of him.

"It was incredible when I was first watching him."

Karl Holden, Littler's former coach at the academy, said he could see his raw talent from an early age as he quickly progressed into the older groups.

"When he was 11, 12 he was beating a lot of men in the leagues and competitions," he said.

"It was great. In one tournament in St Helens, after work I went in, and I'll never forget I said [to one of the competitors] 'how are you getting on?'

"He said 'I'd be alright if it wasn't for that little thing there beating me'. The man was about 50."

Mr Holden said everyone around the area was "very proud of him" and his success so far.

"You didn't need to teach Luke much," he said.

"He was beyond what we expected and, the year after, he was probably the best player in the academy by far.

"At the time, he was only 11. We just taught him the basics. It's down to him and his parents - it's their efforts that have made him into this."

Becca Chisnall, who has been friends with Littler for 10 years, said the teenager had always been talented.

"He's always been good at darts but obviously he's got a lot better, we've all seen him get better over the years," she said.

Tom Callaghan, who met Littler when he started at the academy, said he was a hard competitor to play against.

"It's phenomenal what he's doing, I just hope he goes and wins it and brings it home," he said.

Warrington Wolves stars Josh Thewlis and Matty Ashton - as well as the club's mascot Wolfie - were present at Ally Pally to cheer the 16-year-old through his semi-final win.

The duo presented Littler with a Wolves shirt emblazoned with Littler 180 on the back.

Thewlis said: "It must be pretty daunting for a 16-year-old to be up there on the big stage on his own.

"When I was 16 I was still turning up to training feeling star-struck by everyone, but I had 12 other blokes with me on the field who I knew would be able to help me out.

"Somehow Luke seems to be taking it all in his stride."

Keith Brunt, founder and director of Blackburn Youth Darts Academy, said Littler's success has been "great for kids to see".

"Even though there's a lot of youth academies out there, it's remarkable the amount of people who don't know they exist.

"With everyone watching Luke's matches, it gives them publicity.

"We've had 20 queries in the last week from parents and kids, with 15 new people joining on Saturday. All other academies I've spoken to say it's the same - phone call after phone call."

Coverage of the World Darts Championship final will start at 19:30 GMT on Wednesday 3 January on Sky Sports and the NOW TV app.

The winner will take home £500,000 while the runner-up earns £200,000.

Round 1: Beat Christian Kist 3-0

Round 2: Beat Andrew Gilding (ranked 20) 3-1

Round 3: Beat Matt Campbell 4-1

Round 4: Beat five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld (28) 4-1

Quarter-final: Beat Brendan Dolan (29) 5-1

Semi-final: Beat 2018 PDC world champion Rob Cross (8) 6-2

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