In a display of sheer brilliance, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler, known as “The Nuke,” has cemented his status as a global sensation by clinching the New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland, hot on the heels of his Australian Darts Masters victory. The teenage star from Warrington, England, delivered an electrifying performance, defeating world number one Luke Humphries 8-4 in the final with a jaw-dropping 115 average, a feat that left the Spark Arena crowd in awe. Littler’s girlfriend, 19-year-old beautician Faith Millar, has been a constant presence during his triumphant run Down Under, emerging as his steadfast supporter and, as some fans suggest, his good luck charm.
Littler’s path to the New Zealand title was anything but straightforward. On Friday, he faced a tough first-round battle against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver, scraping through with a 6-4 win despite not being at his sharpest. “I had a shaky start in my opening game,” Littler admitted, reflecting on the early challenge. But come finals night, the young star flipped a switch, unleashing his full potential. He dispatched Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-finals and Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals, showcasing his trademark power scoring with 170 checkouts in both matches. The final against Humphries was a masterclass, as Littler raced to a 3-0 lead and never relinquished control, finishing with successive 11-dart legs. “It felt very much the same as last week,” he said, comparing the Auckland triumph to his Australian victory. “I felt unbeatable up there. The crowd was brilliant, and the venue was incredible—it felt like a Premier League night.”
Faith Millar, who hails from Wigan, just 15 miles from Littler’s hometown, has been a visible and vital part of his journey. The couple, who went public with their relationship in July after months of speculation, have faced their share of challenges, including online trolling. Speaking about the negativity, Littler told DartsStream Live, “Obviously, at the start of last year, I was always looking at the comments. And she’s been having a look [at the] negativity. But I just said, ‘They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us.’ I just said, ‘Just don’t look at it and focus on what we’ve got.’” Faith’s presence has clearly been a source of strength, with Littler noting, “She’s a lovely lady, Faith. I think it’s sort of what I needed.” Her support was evident in Australia, where she cheered him on to his first World Series title of 2025 in Wollongong, and again in Auckland, where she joined the 5,000-strong sell-out crowd celebrating his back-to-back triumphs.
Littler’s Australian Darts Masters win the previous weekend saw him overcome a tense first-round match against New Zealand’s Haupai Puha before dominating Damon Heta 6-3 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semi-finals. In the final, he outclassed Mike De Decker 8-4, leveraging a 110 average to claim the title. “It feels good to have won this one,” Littler said after the Wollongong victory. “It’s not gone to plan this year in the World Series, but there’s plenty of opportunities to win, and I’ve finally picked it up.” His New Zealand performance elevated his game further, with Humphries graciously conceding, “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do. When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable.”
The road to these victories has been a whirlwind for Littler, who became the youngest player to complete darts’ Triple Crown—World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay—earlier this year. His Blackpool triumph in July, where he kissed Faith on stage before defeating James Wade 18-13, marked a personal and professional milestone. With career earnings now exceeding £1.5 million, including £200,000 from the World Matchplay, Littler’s meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing. However, his success has come with personal challenges, including navigating public scrutiny over his relationship with Faith, who joined him in New York for the US Darts Masters and on a family holiday in Spain. “I knew my mum and dad weren’t going to come,” Littler said of the Australian trip. “And as soon as I asked the question, she was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance.’”
As Littler prepares for the World Series Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14, where he is the defending champion, his bond with Faith continues to grow. Despite earlier denials of romance, their public displays of affection, including a memorable kiss at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, have silenced doubters. Faith, described as a “very sweet, bubbly girl,” has embraced the spotlight that comes with dating a darts superstar, even as fans pester her for details. Littler’s focus remains on his craft, but Faith’s unwavering support has clearly bolstered his confidence. With two World Series titles in a week and a loving partner by his side, “The Nuke” is proving he’s a force both on and off the oche, ready to take on whatever comes next.
Leave a Reply