The meteoric rise of teenage darts sensation Luke Littler to the pinnacle of the sport has been nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in his thrilling victory at the World Darts Championship. However, amidst the dazzling lights and roaring crowds of Alexandra Palace, a surprising off-the-oche revelation cast a brief shadow, leaving the young phenom reportedly “annoyed” just weeks before his historic triumph. This unexpected disclosure, concerning his new romantic interest, underscored the intense public scrutiny that now accompanies every aspect of his burgeoning celebrity.
Prior to his captivating run to the World Darts Championship final, where he ultimately defeated Michael van Gerwen in a sensational 7-3 display, speculation began to swirl around Littler’s personal life. The 17-year-old, who had previously been in a relationship with Eloise Milburn, from whom he separated in July, found himself inadvertently at the center of a social media storm. The incident in question occurred during a live stream with popular YouTuber Morgan Burtwistle, known as ‘Angry Ginge’. As the two were engaged in a video game boxing match, an unidentified female voice was distinctly heard in the background. The voice, seemingly addressing Littler, stated, “I’m gonna try and get some sleep because I’m so tired.”
This seemingly innocuous comment immediately piqued the curiosity of thousands of viewers. Burtwistle, quick to seize on the unexpected audio, playfully interrogated Littler, asking, “Who the f*** is that? Who’s that Luke? Who’s that Luke?” Littler’s immediate reaction, a resigned “f*** sake,” accompanied by laughter from Burtwistle and other streamers, spoke volumes about his surprise and perhaps, his desire to keep this aspect of his life private. Burtwistle, clearly in on the secret, continued to tease the darts prodigy, quipping, “Let her get to bed, Luke, come on.”
The clip rapidly went viral, igniting a flurry of online discussions and media reports. Littler, recognizing the inevitable, was heard to remark, “Your chat is going mad. F*** off. If someone has screen-recorded that, it’s in the papers in the morning. Yep, well played. Why’s the volume all the way up, you f***ing idiot?” While his language was colorful, his tone was reportedly good-natured, reflecting more exasperation than genuine anger. Nevertheless, the incident confirmed that his private life was now firmly in the public domain, a new reality for the young star.
The accidental reveal highlighted the delicate balance Littler now faces between his burgeoning career and his desire for personal privacy. His previous relationship with Eloise Milburn, whom he met on the Development Tour in Leicester, had also drawn considerable attention, particularly due to their age difference. Milburn, five years his senior, had faced a barrage of “vile” online abuse, prompting Littler to publicly defend her. At the time of their split, Littler took to social media to clarify the situation, stating, “Everyone needs to stop sending hate towards Eloise saying it’s her fault and this and that, I myself split up with Eloise and everyone just needs [to] give us some time, no need for everyone to message her and give her grief.” This earlier experience likely contributed to his desire for discretion regarding any new romance.
Sources close to Littler suggested that he might prefer to keep his new relationship out of the spotlight, perhaps even opting for a partner not directly involved in the darts world to alleviate external pressures. This approach would allow him to navigate the complexities of a new romance without the added burden of public scrutiny, enabling him to focus solely on his demanding professional schedule. Indeed, with his career soaring and constant travel becoming the norm, maintaining a private personal life presents a significant challenge.
Despite the accidental revelation, Littler has not officially confirmed the identity of the voice or the nature of his current relationship. His focus remained squarely on the darts board, culminating in his historic World Championship win. The incident serves as a poignant reminder that with unprecedented fame, especially at such a young age, comes an inevitable loss of privacy. As Luke Littler continues his meteoric ascent in the world of darts, the public’s fascination with “The Nuke” extends far beyond the oche, encompassing every facet of his life.
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