Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn has issued a strong warning to rising darts star Luke Littler, reflecting on the challenges faced by Michael van Gerwen at a similar stage in his career. Hearn, a veteran of the sports promotion industry, has witnessed countless players rise and fall over the years, and his advice is based on decades of experience.
Having acquired a majority share in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) through his Matchroom Sport company in 2001, Hearn has been at the helm of darts’ transformation from a niche sport into a global spectacle. His involvement in sports promotion spans multiple decades, with Hearn initially making a name for himself in snooker, where he managed six-time world champion Steve Davis. His influence on darts has been no less significant, as he helped professionalize the sport and bring it to mainstream audiences.
Now at 75, Hearn has stepped back from many of his daily responsibilities. His son, Eddie Hearn, has taken over the leadership role at Matchroom Sport and the PDC. Despite his reduced role, Barry Hearn remains a keen observer of the darts scene and continues to keep a close eye on emerging talent, particularly players like Luke Littler, who has quickly risen to prominence.
Littler, at just 17 years old, has already made a name for himself on the Pro Tour after a successful stint on the Development Tour. His remarkable performances, which include a run to the final of the 2024 World Championship, where he lost 7-4 to Luke Humphries, have earned him widespread attention. Following this breakthrough, Littler went on to claim titles at the Bahrain Darts Masters and the Belgian Darts Open. More recently, he secured his first victory in the Premier League, a prestigious event in the darts calendar.
Nicknamed ‘The Nuke’ due to his explosive talent, Littler’s rapid rise has captivated the darts community and significantly increased the sport’s visibility in the public eye. His consistent performances at such a young age have made him one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, and many consider him to be the future of darts.
However, despite Littler’s impressive achievements, Hearn is cautious about the potential pitfalls that lie ahead. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan on *Piers Morgan Uncensored*, Hearn drew parallels between Littler’s current trajectory and the early career of Michael van Gerwen, one of the most dominant players in the history of darts. Van Gerwen, often regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players the sport has ever seen, won the BDO World Masters at the age of 17 in 2006, a feat that catapulted him into the spotlight.
Yet, despite his early success, van Gerwen struggled to maintain consistent form in the years that followed. It wasn’t until 2012, when he was 23, that he won his first major title in the PDC. Two years later, in 2014, he won his first World Championship, solidifying his place among darts’ elite. Hearn, who witnessed van Gerwen’s rise and subsequent challenges, believes that Littler must be mindful of the pressures that come with early success.
“I don’t know Luke Littler well, but I’ve gotten to know thousands of athletes over the course of my career,” Hearn explained to Morgan. “Winning the World Championship might take him another year, maybe longer. I’ve seen players like Michael van Gerwen do amazing things at a young age, but then go through a period of two or three years where they couldn’t even win an argument, let alone a major tournament.”
Hearn’s comments highlight the mental and emotional challenges that can accompany early success in a high-pressure environment. He believes that Littler has the potential to avoid some of the struggles that van Gerwen experienced, particularly because he appears to be more grounded and well-balanced both in his personal life and on the stage. “Luke Littler seems more settled than Michael was at his age, both domestically and in terms of his demeanor on the stage,” Hearn noted.
Despite this, Hearn warned that the path to sustained success is anything but straightforward. The World Darts Championship, in particular, is a grueling test of endurance, both physically and mentally. “The Darts World Championship is a real mental marathon,” Hearn said. “Forget everything else – it’s the ultimate test in the sport. It lasts 17 days, and it could even be extended to 20 days this year. It’s a huge obstacle for any player, especially someone as young as Littler.”
Hearn’s message to Littler is clear: while his talent and potential are undeniable, the road ahead will not be easy. Darts is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and navigating the ups and downs of a professional career will require resilience and focus. Littler has already achieved remarkable success, but Hearn’s warning serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars can face challenges as they rise to the top.
As Littler continues his journey, he will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans, pundits, and rivals alike. His ability to handle the pressures of the sport will determine whether he can fulfill the enormous potential that so many believe he possesses. Only time will tell if Littler can navigate the challenges ahead and ultimately reach the pinnacle of the darts world.