Luke Littler, 18, full of energy for Premier League Darts finals… as teenager credits cutting out live TV appearances
LUKE LITTLER feels more relaxed heading into this season's Premier League Darts finale after cutting out the live TV show appearances.
The Nuke was a boy in demand this time 12 months ago, appearing on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show and BBC's Comic Relief following his extraordinary run to the World Darts Championship final.
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In May 2024, the teenage wonder showed his promise by shocking Luke Humphries in the Prem final, hitting an outstanding nine-darter after a key TV ad break.
And then historically, he lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in January 2025, 18 days before his 18th birthday.
A conscious decision has been made by him and his team to reduce the number of times he appears on chats shows.
Littler — who has more than 1.9million followers on Instagram — said: 'I did a lot of stuff for social media.
'A lot of shows, like The Jonathan Ross Show, which was really good.
'I found out while I was doing the first Premier League that the travel was Thursday night, and then on Friday night we'd have to rush down to a European Tour.
'But this year it has been a lot more relaxing, which we wanted, in terms of the shows and stuff.
'That was good for my socials last year. This year it's all about kicking on.
'I've secured top spot in the league and playing that first semi-final is so crucial.
'This is one of the biggest ones out there.'
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries play out 'best darts match ever' as Wayne Mardle says 'even they're finding it funny'
On Thursday night, in semi-final one, Littler faces bogeyman Gerwyn Price, who has won six of their past eight meetings.
In the other semi-final, world No 1 Humphries tackles Nathan Aspinall, with £275,000 on the line for the eventual winner at London's O2 Arena.
Another chapter in the Littler versus Humphries rivalry will be a fitting conclusion to a brilliant Premier League campaign.
Littler beat England World Cup team-mate Humphries 6-3 in the final in Sheffield last week — after the pair had averaged 115.96 and 110.01 respectively in the quarters for The Nuke's 6-3 triumph in Aberdeen.
Cool Hand, 30, said: 'I enjoy playing Luke as I know I have to be at my best.
'I hope this rivalry will flourish, it's good for the game. When it was Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld, everyone loved it.
'Of course, we want to beat each other, we want to win everything.
'But also we get on really well.'
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