In the vibrant world of professional darts, few stories captivate as much as that of Luke Littler, an 18-year-old prodigy who has taken the sport by storm. Known as “The Nuke,” Littler’s journey from a precocious talent to the reigning PDC World Champion is filled with moments of audacious confidence and remarkable skill. One such moment, recalled vividly by Women’s World Matchplay star Lorraine Winstanley, occurred when Littler was just 12 years old, confidently predicting—and delivering—a crushing victory over her husband, Dean Winstanley, at a tournament on the Isle of Man.
The incident, now a celebrated anecdote in darts lore, took place during a competition where the young Littler faced off against Dean, a seasoned professional who famously hit a nine-darter at the 2012 PDC World Championship. Despite his youth, Littler boldly declared to Dean before the match, “I’m going to beat you 3-0.” Dean, a veteran of the oche, likely dismissed the prediction with a chuckle, responding, “Yeah, alright mate.” But Littler’s words were no mere bravado. As Lorraine recounts, “He’s absolutely annihilated my husband on the Isle of Man. I can’t remember the format, but whatever it was, Dean’s leg tally was zero!” The match ended with Littler fulfilling his prophecy, leaving Dean stunned and scoreless in a display of precocious brilliance. Lorraine emphasizes that Littler’s prediction wasn’t delivered with arrogance but as a matter-of-fact statement, a glimpse into the unshakeable confidence that would define his career.
This early triumph is just one chapter in Littler’s extraordinary story. Born on January 21, 2007, in Runcorn, England, and later moving to Warrington, Littler was drawn to darts at an astonishingly young age. A video exists of him throwing darts at just 18 months old, a testament to his early fascination with the sport. By age six, he was scoring 180s, and by 13, he had achieved a nine-dart finish—a feat that even seasoned professionals chase for years. His journey through the youth ranks was equally impressive, with victories in the 2019 England Youth Grand Prix, the Isle of Man Masters youth competition, and multiple titles on the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) tours. At 14, he claimed his first senior title at the Irish Open, qualifying for the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship, where he became the youngest player to win a match.
Lorraine Winstanley, who will compete in the Women’s World Matchplay on July 27, 2025, has watched Littler’s ascent with admiration. She notes his growth not only as a player but as a public figure. “He has grown massively in his ability to deal with the media because he was thrown into the spotlight,” she says, reflecting on his evolution from a shy teenager to a poised 18-year-old navigating fame. Littler’s rise, often dubbed “Littlermania,” has brought unprecedented attention to darts, inspiring a new generation of players. Lorraine, who first met Littler through the Elite 1 programme, calls him “the perfect example of how the system works,” highlighting his journey as a model for aspiring dart players.
Now, as Littler prepares to face Ryan Searle in the first round of the 2025 Betfred World Matchplay, the darts world buzzes with anticipation. Fresh off his historic 2025 PDC World Championship win at just 17 years and 347 days old, Littler is the youngest world champion in darts history. His resume boasts five major PDC titles, including the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, as well as a staggering £1,000,000 in prize money. Yet, the World Matchplay remains a hurdle, with a first-round exit to Michael van Gerwen in 2024 serving as a rare setback. As he steps onto the iconic Winter Gardens stage, Littler carries the weight of expectation but also the fearless attitude that saw him “annihilate” opponents even at 12. “With Luke, it’s exciting, it’s a new face,” Lorraine says. “He’s burst onto the scene and he doesn’t disappoint, does he?”
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