In the electrifying world of darts, where precision meets passion under the glare of spotlights, one name has surged to the forefront with the force of a perfectly thrown triple-20: Luke Littler. At just 18, this Warrington-born prodigy has transformed from a teenage hopeful into a global sensation, crowned the youngest PDC World Darts Champion in history on January 3, 2025, after a commanding 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace. Known as “The Nuke” for his explosive talent, Littler’s meteoric rise isn’t a solo act—it’s a family affair, woven with the unwavering support of his parents, siblings, and a close-knit circle that’s cheered him from pub boards to the sport’s grandest stage. As the darts faithful marvel at his skill, the story of those who’ve fueled his journey offers a glimpse into the roots of a champion.
At the heart of Littler’s ascent is his father, Anthony Buckley, a former taxi driver from Warrington whose foresight set the course for his son’s destiny. A man of few words but boundless belief, Anthony spotted Luke’s uncanny knack for darts when he was barely out of nappies. It was he who gifted the toddler his first magnetic dartboard from a pound shop—a humble beginning for a future king. By age nine, Anthony made a pivotal call, urging Luke to hang up his football boots and focus solely on the arrows. “My dad just knew,” Littler has said, recalling the moment with a grin. “I stopped playing football and just focused on darts, and this is where I am now, playing on the greatest stage of them all.” That leap of faith paid off spectacularly—Anthony’s Saturdays, once his only day off, became road trips to tournaments, ferrying Luke across the country to hone a talent that’s now netted over £1.5 million in prize money.
Beside Anthony stands Lisa Littler, Luke’s mother, whose pride radiates like the scented candles she once sold at a Yankee Candle shop. Lisa’s social media is a shrine to her son’s journey, dotted with nostalgic clips—like one of an 18-month-old Luke, still in a nappy, giggling as he flung darts with eerie accuracy. She’s been a fixture at his matches, her presence a comfort that’s moved him to tears. “I started crying when I saw my mum in the crowd,” he admitted after a World Championship win, his voice softening at the memory. Lisa’s taken time off work to follow Luke’s ascent, and the family’s fortunes have soared alongside his—recently moving into a plush five-bedroom mansion on Warrington’s outskirts, complete with a swimming pool where she and Anthony have been spotted enjoying a dip. It’s a far cry from the candle shop days, a testament to the life Luke’s talent has built.
Luke isn’t alone among siblings—his sister Caitlin and brothers Leon and Harry form a tight trio of supporters. Caitlin, 22 and a social media star in her own right with 27,000 TikTok followers, is his loudest cheerleader. “Speechless he’s done it again!” she gushed after his Modus Super Series win in 2023, her pride spilling over. “Never EVER been more proud of someone, what a night!” She’s often at Ally Pally, sharing clips of Luke’s heroics, while Leon, the eldest, once shared the board with him. “My dad was telling us both to get on the board and practice,” Luke recalled of their lockdown days, “but [Leon] stepped off, while I was up until stupid hours every day.” That dedication paid off—Leon joined the family on stage for Luke’s title celebration, pocketing a wad of cash from his brother the next day as a birthday treat. Harry, quieter and camera-shy, rounds out the clan, a silent pillar in Luke’s corner.
Romance, too, has colored Littler’s tale, though it’s evolved with the twists of youth. His ex-girlfriend, Eloise Milburn, a 22-year-old beauty consultant and amateur darts player, was a fixture during his 2024 World Championship run, their bond forged over FIFA 23 online matches. Their five-year age gap sparked chatter, but Luke stood firm. “I’ll stick with [Milburn] whether people like it or not,” he’d declared, defiant against the trolls. They parted ways in July 2024, and Luke took to Instagram to quell the hate: “Everyone needs to stop sending hate towards Eloise saying it’s her fault this and that. I myself split up with Eloise and everyone just needs to give us some time.” Since then, a mystery woman’s voice—caught on a livestream with pal Morgan Burtwistle, aka AngryGinge—has fueled speculation about a new love, though Luke’s keeping mum, chuckling, “That’s in the papers in the morning.”
Beyond family, Littler’s inner circle includes manager Martin Foulds of ZXF Sports Management, a mentor who’s guided him from youth titles to the top. Foulds has been there for the big moments—rubbing shoulders with stars like Lando Norris at Silverstone or James Maddison at Tottenham matches, where Luke, a Manchester United fan, indulges his football passion. This crew, from Anthony’s early bets to Lisa’s tearful cheers, has propelled a kid from Warrington to darts immortality. As “The Nuke” eyes more titles, his family tree—rooted in love, sacrifice, and a pound-shop dartboard—stands as the bedrock of a champion’s legacy, proving that behind every great throw is a greater support system.
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