Luke Littler made sure his World Darts Championship title defence began with authority — and a touch of humour — as the teenage sensation combined a commanding win on the oche with a playful jab at one of his closest friends off it.
The reigning world champion opened his campaign at Alexandra Palace with a ruthless 3–0 victory over Darius Labanauskas, barely putting a foot wrong as he reminded fans exactly why he is still the man everyone is chasing. Calm, clinical and full of confidence, Littler barely looked troubled, easing through the opening round and setting the tone for another potentially historic run.
But while the darts did the talking on stage, it was what happened afterwards that sparked just as much attention. As Littler scanned the crowd, he noticed familiar faces — two members of his close-knit friendship group — yet one notable absentee stood out. AngryGinge, the popular streamer and content creator whose real name is Morgan Burtwhistle, was nowhere to be seen at Ally Pally.
Last year, Burtwhistle had been front and centre as Littler celebrated his breakthrough triumph at the same venue. This time, however, the newly crowned winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! had other commitments. Having only just returned to the UK after weeks in the Australian jungle, Burtwhistle did not make the trip to London to support his friend.
Littler, never one to miss an opportunity for light-hearted banter, took to social media shortly after his win to tease his mate. Spotting other friends in attendance, he joked that Burtwhistle might now be “too big for the darts” after becoming King of the Jungle. The post was clearly tongue-in-cheek, a playful nod to his friend’s sudden rise in mainstream fame rather than any genuine dig.
The exchange quickly amused fans, who have followed the unlikely crossover between darts, streaming culture and reality TV over the past year. Littler and Burtwhistle’s friendship has become well known, with the pair frequently interacting online and supporting each other’s careers, despite operating in very different worlds.
Speaking after his win, Littler was asked whether he could ever see himself following Burtwhistle into the jungle in the future. His response was immediate and emphatic. The teenager ruled it out completely, admitting that while he may once have joked about the idea, watching the show properly had changed his mind. The thought of the long-haul travel, being away from home and taking part in the infamous eating challenges was enough to put him off for good.
For now, Littler is more than content sticking to what he knows best. His performance against Labanauskas suggested a player fully at ease with the pressures of being defending champion. Despite his age, there were no signs of nerves or complacency, just sharp scoring, tidy finishing and a clear sense of purpose.
This year’s World Championship is bigger than ever, with an expanded 128-player field making the path to the title longer and potentially more demanding. That only adds to the challenge facing Littler, who is already accustomed to carrying the weight of expectation. Yet if his opening match is any indication, he appears more than ready to embrace it.
The off-stage jokes and social media moments may add colour to his campaign, but Littler’s focus remains firmly on retaining his crown. While friends may come and go — some even heading off to win reality TV shows — his attention is fixed on the board, the trophy, and the chance to cement his place at the very top of the sport once again.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how far he can go. And if AngryGinge does eventually make an appearance at Ally Pally, there’s little doubt Littler will have another cheeky comment ready to go.
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