At just 18 years old, Luke Littler, the reigning PDC World Darts Champion, has already etched his name into darts history with a string of jaw-dropping achievements. Known as “The Nuke” for his explosive scoring power, Littler was poised to return to the European Tour at the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, Belgium, from August 29 to 31. However, his preparation for this high-stakes tournament, where a £30,000 top prize awaits, took a dramatic turn with an unexpected health setback. Hours before his departure to Belgium, Littler underwent emergency dental surgery, leaving him “in shock and shaken” as he shared a candid life update with fans.
The young prodigy from Warrington, England, faced a grueling ordeal on Thursday, August 28, when prolonged dental pain forced him to seek urgent treatment at a Manchester emergency dentist. “In pain for hours and hours, so had to get tooth out,” Littler revealed on his Instagram story, alongside a photo with his girlfriend, Faith Millar, who provided unwavering support during the ordeal. The procedure, a tooth extraction, was a first for Littler, who admitted, “I’ve never had this done and I don’t know how I’m gonna be feeling but right now I am in shock and shaken as I didn’t know what to expect.” Despite the discomfort, he expressed gratitude to the dental team, saying, “I can’t thank you enough,” and added a heartfelt “I love you” to Faith for standing by his side.
Littler’s determination to compete remained unshaken. As the tournament’s top seed, he was set to face either Ireland’s Dylan Slevin or Belgium’s Francois Schweyen in the second round on Saturday, August 30, at 6 p.m. “Everyone knows I love Belgium and hopefully I can play my best darts,” he wrote, reflecting his affection for the country where he has previously triumphed, winning the Belgian Darts Open in both 2024 and 2025. However, the emergency procedure cast uncertainty over his performance. “I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling in the morning or whether I’m gonna be in a little bit of pain,” he cautioned fans, adding a lighthearted plea: “So don’t be saying I’m arrogant because I’m not, I’ve never had this done, and I don’t know how I’m gonna be feeling.” He humorously noted he’d likely be keeping to himself at the airport, AirPods in, focusing on recovery.
The Flanders Darts Trophy, held at the Antwerp Expo, is the tenth of fourteen PDC European Tour events in 2025, boasting a £175,000 prize fund. The winner claims £30,000, with £12,000 for the runner-up, £8,500 for semi-finalists, and £6,000 for quarter-finalists. Even first-round participants earn £1,250, though a new rule means seeded players like Littler won’t have their second-round earnings credited to the PDC Order of Merit unless they qualified as non-seeds. This year’s tournament is stacked with talent, including Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, and Martin Schindler, though Gerwyn Price withdrew due to an infected hand, granting a bye to the winner of the Ryan Joyce-Ricardo Pietreczko match.
Littler’s 2025 has been a masterclass in dominance. Since becoming the youngest PDC World Champion in January at age 17, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3, he has amassed titles including the UK Open, World Matchplay, and back-to-back World Series events in Australia and New Zealand. His 558 maximum 180s this year dwarf the competition, showcasing his ability to pile pressure on opponents with relentless scoring. Yet, his 2024 Flanders Darts Trophy ended in a surprising third-round loss to Dirk van Duijvenbode, a 6-2 defeat, adding intrigue to his 2025 campaign. “Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out but hopefully it’s all good for Saturday,” Littler said, expressing cautious optimism about overcoming his dental ordeal.
Despite the setback, Littler’s journey to Antwerp reflects his resilience. His meteoric rise, from a 14-year-old winning senior titles to a global darts sensation, has sparked “Littlermania,” with record viewership and new fans flocking to the sport. His 2025 World Championship win earned him £500,000 and the No. 2 spot on the PDC Order of Merit, trailing only Luke Humphries. Off the oche, Littler’s charisma shines, from parading his trophy at Manchester United’s Old Trafford to signing deals with BoohooMAN to promote the Motor Neurone Disease Association. As he steps onto the Antwerp stage, supported by a lively Belgian crowd, Littler aims to channel his pain into precision, chasing a third European Tour title and another chapter in his remarkable story.
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