Darts star Luke Littler claps back at critics after surprise career move ends badly

Darts superstar Luke Littler has hit out at anyone criticising him for competing in the World Darts Youth Championship. Littler, 18,surprised many when he announced he would be competing in the competition he won in 2023, which booked him a place at the 2024 World Darts Championship, the tournament where he announced himself to the country by reaching the final aged 16.

Two years later, the now World No.2 entered into the junior competition again, not long after hammering World No.1 Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final. He was shocked by Beau Greaves, who beat him 6-5 to book her place in the showpiece.

Littler then lost to Richie Edhouse in Players Championship 31, leaving his hopes of reaching the Players Championship finals hanging by a thread. However, he found his quality to win Players Championship 32 - and ensure he is at Minehead for the finals.

After he did, he turned his attention to individuals criticising him for competing in the World Youth Championship. When his decision to compete in the tournament, usually intended as a route for young players to reach the opening rounds at Alexandra Palace, was mentioned, Littler replied: "It's the same venue where we professionals play.

"The likes of Gian van Veen, tour card holder, Keane Barry, tour card holder, but I'm the one who gets it in the neck. I didn't win so obviously a lot of people were happy. I just thought I'd come and get used to playing first to five and first to six. That's what I did today and yesterday."

Littler also made some time to have a thinly-veiled dig at darts fans who said he will not be able to get to Minehead. He added: "I am on social media. Lots of people were saying that I wasn't going to make it. There you go, I've won it today."

Littler had to do it the hard way to ensure he booked his place in the finals at Minehead. He overcame surprise finalist Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 in the final in Wigan.

Littler had to overcome Dylan Slevin, Jeffrey De Graff, Adam Lipscombe, Adam Hunt, Rhys Griffin and Stephen Bunting, before he beat Kalter in the final. The 18-year-old has his eye on overtaking Humphries to become the World No.1.

Unbelievably, that was only Littler's first Players Championship title of the season. After his victory, he said: "At the start of the day it's never the best, you've just got to get past those early stages.

"Then when it comes down to the last 16 and quarters, that's when it turns nitty-gritty. I'm very happy with today (Wednesday). I'm very exhausted, but happy to have come away with a win.

"I did the Grand Prix and then the youth, yesterday and today. I've been playing for 10 or 11 days non-stop so I will have a well-deserved break this weekend and then I will be back for the Europeans."