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Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler gets reality check as he's told he wouldn't get near darts icon
Luke Littler has been tipped to surpass Phil Taylor as the greatest darts player of all time, but Dennis Priestley believes the 18-year-old wouldn't be able to rival 'The Power' Darts legend Dennis Priestley has suggested that Luke Littler wouldn't "get close" to Phil Taylor if they played in the same era. Littler, 18, has made huge waves on the darts scene since his remarkable debut at the PDC World Championship in 2023. Following his extraordinary journey to the final at Alexandra Palace when he was only 16, Littler went on to become the youngest ever darts World Champion in January this year. Despite the teenager's meteoric rise and predictions that he could break Taylor's record of 16 world titles, 1991 World Champion Priestley remains sceptical. He even places Littler's fierce rival, Luke Humphries, above him. "I think Phil Taylor in his prime was more consistent than even Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are at the moment," the 74-year-old told OLBG. "Phil's records tell us the whole story and he was so good that it was hard for anyone to get close to him. I think if you put a prime Phil Taylor into the current game he would be world No. 1 with Humphries in second and Littler in third." Littler, known as 'The Nuke', is also chasing Taylor's haul of six Premier League Darts titles, just one behind Michael van Gerwen's seven. The prodigy has already claimed one title, having won it on his first attempt last year, reports the Express. However, he failed to retain his title on Thursday night, as Humphries triumphed over him 11-8 in London, avenging last year's defeat. In an unexpected twist, Humphries disclosed that it was Taylor himself who offered him some sage advice to help him defeat Littler. "Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks or so," Humphries shared with Sky Sports. "Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support." The notion of 'The Power' backing Humphries is bound to raise eyebrows, especially after the 64-year-old suggested that Littler would need to make a significant impact in the sport if he wants to surpass him. "If he wants to carry on and win, beat my records, then he's going to have to be dedicated. And I mean dedicated for at least 25 years," Taylor told talkSPORT. Taylor had a glittering 31-year professional career from 1987 to 2018, during which he clinched two BDO world titles in 1990 and 1992. He also won the World Championship 14 times between 1995 and 2013. However, in what some saw as a veiled jibe at the man he's trying to outdo in the history books, Littler suggested that Taylor would "struggle" in today's environment. "He (Taylor) also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he's won two of the big majors 16 times - it'll take some doing," Littler said on the Stick to Football podcast in April. "It (the competition) is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow - it was still a good field but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle," he added. "If I can be bothered to stay around for that time (I could maybe beat his record). If I want to (continue playing), then I will." Littler has been confirmed to represent England in the 2025 World Cup of Darts alongside Premier League winner Humphries. The duo will join forces at the event scheduled from June 12 to 15 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nathan Aspinall's private message to wife about darts retirement after Luke Littler claim
Nathan Aspinall's private message to wife about darts retirement after Luke Littler claim Nathan Aspinall has shared exactly when he plans on walking away from darts, after weighing in on Luke Littler's future in the sport ahead of the Premier League Finals Night Nathan Aspinall says he wants to retire at the age of 45 (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Nathan Aspinall has openly revealed his intentions to bow out from darts at the age of 45. Currently 33, the Stockport-born star, who goes by the moniker 'The Asp', ranks ninth in the PDC Order of Merit with earnings amounting to £496,000 over two years – an amount he looks to significantly enhance before retiring. Speaking with SportsBoom, Aspinall said: "45, and I'm off. "I've said to my partner if that's me, it is 45. If it's earlier than that, and we start making golfers' money and I've got 30 million in the bank – happy days, I'll be off sooner. But I don't think it's going to happen that quick. But yes, 45 is when I'd like to bugger off." With his 34th birthday approaching this July, Aspinall has just over 11 years to pursue financial security and clinch a victorious finish at the PDC World Championship – having narrowly missed out twice. Aspinall reached the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament in both 2019 and 2020, where he faced defeat to Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen respectively. Aspinall's resume also boasts second-place finishes at esteemed events like the Grand Slam of Darts, World Grand Prix, Premier League, and World Series, reflecting his consistent high performance on the darting circuit. Despite not clinching a World Championship, Aspinall has certainly made his mark in other prestigious darts competitions. For instance, he took home the 2019 UK Open with a 11-5 win over Rob Cross and triumphed in the 2023 World Matchplay by beating Jonny Clayton 18-6. Aspinall will go for Premier League glory once again on Thursday (Image: Getty ) With aspirations running high, Aspinall is aiming to bag his first Premier League title on Thursday night as he prepares to take on world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the semi-finals at London's O2 Arena. Should he emerge victorious, Aspinall will go head-to-head with either Luke Littler or Gerwyn Price in the final. His ambitions come amidst recent comments suggesting that young sensation Littler might retire in just five years due to his early dominance – including a historic win against Van Gerwen in January that saw him become the youngest-ever PDC World Champion at just 17. However, Littler has dismissed any talk of retirement, saying (via the Express): "I don't know where he's got that from – don't worry, I'll be here in 10 years. It's crazy to even think about retiring. Luke Littler hopes to retain his Premier League crown (Image: PA ) "If I win 16 world titles like Phil [Taylor], I'll retire, but I'm not even thinking about retirement at the minute – the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship, but not only that. Everything has gone up. "It is all about what you're feeling, and I'm sure I'll be here for a long time." Littler, the reigning champion of the Premier League, is set to defend his title as he returns to the O2 tonight (Thursday). The 18-year-old secured his place at Finals Night after leading the league with a tally of 27 victories and just 10 defeats this season. Article continues below He will be aiming to capitalise on his impressive form to secure the grand prize of £275,000.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Nathan Aspinall's retirement admission after Luke Littler pushed back on claim
Nathan Aspinall has explained the exact age that he believes he will walk away from darts after giving his thoughts on teenage sensation Luke Littler and his future in the sport Nathan Aspinall has revealed his retirement plans after suggesting that he plans to walk away from the oche at 45. The Stockport star, who is currently 33 and sits ninth in the PDC's Order of Merit with a cool £496,000 in earnings over the last two years, still has ample time to add to his trophy cabinet and boost his bank balance before hanging up his darts. Speaking to SportsBoom, Aspinall shared his future plans, saying: "45, and I'm off. I've said to my partner if that's me, it is 45. "If it's earlier than that, and we start making golfers' money and I've got 30 million in the bank - happy days, I'll be off sooner. But I don't think it's going to happen that quick. But yes, 45 is when I'd like to bugger off." With his 34th birthday just around the corner in July, Aspinall has over a decade left to chase his dream of winning the PDC World Championship, having narrowly missed out on the title twice already. Aspinall's track record includes reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament in both 2019 and 2020, where he faced defeat to Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen respectively. Additionally, he has secured runner-up finishes at the Grand Slam of Darts, World Grand Prix, Premier League and World Series of Darts, proving his mettle as one of darts' top competitors. That's not to mention clinching the 2019 UK Open with a solid 11-5 victory over Rob Cross and bagging the 2023 World Matchplay title with an impressive 18-6 win against Jonny Clayton. He's now gunning for his first Premier League triumph on Thursday night, as he prepares to take on the world's top-ranked player, Luke Humphries, in the semi-finals at the O2 in London, reports the Express. Should he emerge victorious, Aspinall will then go head-to-head with either Luke Littler or Gerwyn Price in the final. It comes after Aspinall suggested that Littler might retire in about five years due to his early success, but the teenage darts sensation has dismissed any talk of hanging up his arrows soon. Littler said: "I don't know where he's got that from - don't worry, I'll be here in 10 years. The Nuke, who etched his name into the history books by becoming the youngest-ever PDC World Championship winner at just 17 earlier this year, added: "It's crazy to even think about retiring. If I win 16 world titles like Phil [Taylor], I'll retire, but I'm not even thinking about retirement at the minute - the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship, but not only that. "Everything has gone up. It is all about what you're feeling, and I'm sure I'll be here for a long time." Littler, the reigning Premier League champion, is set to defend his title when he returns to the O2 on Thursday evening. The 18-year-old has secured his place in the play-offs after topping the league table with a total of 27 victories and 10 defeats this season, and will be aiming to capitalise on his form to secure the grand prize of £275,000.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘He's already getting fed up' – Luke Littler tipped to walk away from darts within FIVE YEARS for lavish new career
NATHAN ASPINALL has predicted that Luke Littler will WALK AWAY from the sport within five years to pursue a career in social media. The World No.2 became the youngest world champion at 17-years-old in January. 4 4 'The Nuke's' record-breaking achievements have continued as he set a new Premier League points record last Thursday. Teen sensation Littler is widely backed to one day chase down Phil Taylor's legendary haul of 16 world championships. But two-time major winner Aspinall isn't convinced, suggesting Littler won't be in the game long enough to break the feat. He told talkSPORT: 'I think he'll be off in about five years. 'He's 18. He does a lot on YouTube, he's good mates with Angryginge. 'I can see him going down that path, in my opinion. 'He's already getting fed up with playing and travelling all the time, and he's only been doing it 12 months. 'I don't think he'll be around for 16 years, let alone winning 16 world titles. Luke Littler prize money breakdown Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner: World Championship 2025 - £500,000 World Championship 2024 - £200,000 Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000 European Tour - £91,000 Player Championships events - £71,500 Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000 UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500 World Matchplay - £10,000 World Grand Prix - £7,500 European Championship - £7,500 (Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000 TOTAL: £1.43 million 'If he does, fair play to him. But I can't see it.' Littler has appeared in multiple YouTube videos with Angryginge. 'Shambles' - Luke Littler savages Man Utd in one word over Bruno Fernandes transfer links and gives Amorim verdict The Warrington whizkid also nearly lost to the social media star in a game of darts in February. Littler already boasts a whopping 1.9 million followers on Instagram. That's nearly DOUBLE the combined total of his oche rivals Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price. In addition to his seven-figure online following, Littler also has a bank account balance to match. And he's got the chance to add even more to it on Thursday as he chases back-to-back titles in the Premier League play-offs. Littler will face Price in a best-of-19 legs semi-final, with the winner going on to meet either Humphries or Aspinall in the final at the O2. 4
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler expected to easily reach £10m as darts hero makes Phil Taylor claim
Luke Littler has practically dominated the sport of darts since turning professional last year, lifting the PDC World Championship in January with a historic win over Michael van Gerwen at just 17 Dennis Priestley has tipped Luke Littler to easily surpass £10million in career earnings in the future. The 18-year-old prodigy, who turned professional in 2024, has already made waves with his PDC World Championship victory over Michael van Gerwen earlier this year. Currently sitting second in the PDC's Order of Merit, Littler has banked £1,300,500 from ranking tournaments alone, not accounting for additional prize money from events like Premier League Darts, World Series Finals, and the World Youth Championships. This sum also doesn't include any of sponsorship deals that the 'Nuke' may have secured. Priestley, who clinched the 1994 World Championship with a resounding 6-1 victory over Phil Taylor, is confident that Littler's financial success will dwarf that of darts great's. In a chat with OLBG, Priestley didn't hold back on his praise for Littler's recent dominance, saying: "Luke Littler and several other young players will win more prize money than Phil Taylor ever did, by a long way. "But getting to £100million like players in other sports will be some ask. Getting to £10million will be simple for Luke if he keeps his head down with the new £1million prize money, then he can go from there." However, in the same breath, Priestly questioned whether Littler will come close to enjoying even a smidge of the career that Taylor did. He added (via the Express): "I reckon there has been three or four players better than Phil in the game, but what none of them could do is dominate like he did for so long. "Luke Littler is among those names talent wise, but dominating like Phil did for so long? I don't think it can happen. What Phil did was incredible and we might not see that in the darts ever again." 'The Power' Taylor, renowned for his unmatched record of 16 World Championships and a dazzling array of 87 major titles, additionally garnished his dynasty with multiple PDC Player of the Year commendations over three decades – an almost mythic feat yet to be bested. So it comes as little surprise that Priestley has his doubts if anyone can echo the same overwhelming supremacy. Notwithstanding Priestley's reservations, Littler is hailed as the rising prodigy of the sport, acclaimed for his five major title victories from seven finals, commanding the scene at the 2024 Premier League, and seizing double glory in the World Series events. His next test comes in the form of Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals of the Premier League's play-offs come Thursday. Littler and Price form two of the four players who have qualified for the final night of Premier League Darts this week, with Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries pitted off against one another in the other semi-final. At last year's event, Littler took no prisoners by finishing first in the standings with four wins and two runner-up spots over the course of the season. The youngster then handed Michael Smith a 10-5 loss in his semi-final clash, before besting World No. 1 Humphries 11-7 in the final. With six wins this season and once more headed into the semis in pole position, Littler will hope to keep up his good run of form when the final four clash at London's O2 on Thursday.
