In a twist that no one saw coming, darts prodigy Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion and current world number two, was dramatically barred from competing in the Players Championship 33 on Wednesday afternoon. The venue? Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, the heart of British darts country. The culprit? A brutal traffic snarl-up that left “The Nuke” staring at his watch in disbelief as the clock ticked past the ironclad 11am registration deadline.
Picture this: Littler, fresh off a rollercoaster ride in the sport’s upper echelons, cruising toward what should have been another routine domination in the penultimate Pro Tour event of 2025. He’s no stranger to glory—the kid from Runcorn exploded onto the scene last year, clinching the World Darts Championship at just 16, and he’s been rewriting records ever since. World number two, defender of his crown, and a magnet for fans who hang on his every 180. But on this crisp October day, the M6 motorway had other plans.
Stuck in gridlock, Littler watched helplessly as minutes turned into a nightmare. By the time he pulled up to the centre, the PDC’s rules—unbending as a perfectly thrown dart—had already slammed the door. No exceptions for superstars. Players must register by 11am sharp, or they’re out. Littler arrived moments too late, forcing officials to replace him with Charlie Manby, the unheralded Englishman sitting 174th in the PDC Order of Merit. One of 12 dropouts for the day, but none quite as seismic as this.
Ever the showman with unflappable cool, Littler didn’t sulk. Instead, he whipped out his phone and fired off an Instagram story that had fans chuckling worldwide: **”Back to bed it is. Wonder who they are gonna call up.”** Accompanied by a cheeky laughing emoji, it was pure Littler—turning potential heartbreak into hilarious banter. The post, timestamped at 11:06am, captured his trademark swagger, reminding everyone that even champions have off days.
This mishap comes at a pivotal moment in Littler’s jam-packed season. Just days earlier, he’d endured a stinging 10-7 second-round exit to James Wade at the European Championship, a rare stumble for the teenager who’s otherwise been untouchable. But rewind a bit further, and you’ll find fire in his belly. Leading into this week’s events, doubters online were buzzing, questioning whether he’d scrape into the Players Championship Finals in Minehead from November 21-23. The stakes? A mouthwatering £120,000 top prize and glory among the top 64 in the Players Championship Order of Merit.
Littler fired back after clinching victory at Players Championship 32 earlier this month, a win that sealed his finals spot after finishing as runner-up last year. **”I am on social media,”** he quipped to the haters. **”Lots of people were saying that I wasn’t going to make it. There you go, I’ve won today.”** It was a mic-drop moment, silencing the skeptics and padding his points tally just when it mattered most.
Missing PC33 stings, no doubt. These floor tournaments are goldmines for Order of Merit points, crucial for climbing rankings and pocketing prize money. But Littler’s no rookie—he’s already locked in for Minehead, giving him breathing room. And tomorrow? Players Championship 34 beckons at the same Wigan venue. Expect “The Nuke” to arrive early, lasers locked, ready to unleash hell on the field.
This incident underscores the PDC’s no-nonsense approach: rules are rules, even for the face of darts. It’s a humbling reminder that in a sport where precision rules, life’s curveballs—like a motorway meltdown—can floor anyone. Yet, for Littler, it’s just fuel. The kid who rose from council estate to world stage thrives on adversity. Fans are already buzzing: Will he turn PC34 into a massacre? Rack up those 180s and prove why he’s the future?
As the darts world digests this drama, one thing’s clear: Luke Littler’s story is far from over. From traffic jams to treble 20s, he’s built for the spotlight. Back to bed today, but tomorrow? The oche awaits, and Wigan better brace itself.
That is bullshit! Because some idiot jumps off a bridge they stop all traffic? He’s gone, if the cops wanna go after him fine but don’t hold up traffic!
And with the excuse of that he is refused access? They are afraid of Luke!