In the electric atmosphere of Alexandra Palace, where the roar of the crowd and the sharp thud of darts hitting the board define the pinnacle of the sport, **Luke Littler** once again proved why he’s hailed as a generational talent. The 18-year-old sensation, nicknamed “The Nuke,” delivered a breathtaking performance to retain his PDC World Darts Championship title, thrashing Dutch rising star **Gian van Veen** 7-1 in the final. This dominant victory not only cemented Littler’s place among the all-time greats but also earned him a historic **£1 million** prize—the first time the winner’s cheque has reached seven figures in the tournament’s storied history.
Littler’s path to glory was nothing short of masterful. After conceding the opening set, he shifted into an unstoppable gear, reeling off seven consecutive sets with clinical precision. His three-dart average soared to 106, punctuated by 16 maximum 180s and a sensational 147 checkout to seal the match. Even distractions like the infamous Ally Pally wasp buzzing onto the oche couldn’t derail him—he jokingly suggested afterward that his mate could handle it next time. As he cradled the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second year running, Littler reflected on the magnitude of his achievement, calling the £1 million windfall “**absolutely life-changing**.”
The triumph was made all the sweeter by the presence of his inner circle in the stands. Family members, his girlfriend, and a host of celebrities cheered him on, but one figure stood out: popular YouTuber and streamer **Angry Ginge** (real name Morgan Burtwistle), fresh off his own victory as King of the Jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! The pair’s bromance has captured fans’ hearts, blending the worlds of darts and online entertainment. Hours before the final, they were spotted keeping things grounded with a simple Tesco meal deal run, a humble ritual amid the high stakes.
Their friendship traces back through shared passions, with Ginge introducing Littler to the addictive hobby of collecting football trading cards via live-shopping platforms. Littler has often credited his pal, saying, “**It’s Ginge’s fault really, he got me into Whatnot**.” Plans for the prize money include treating himself to more cards—”**I’m into football cards at the minute so I might have to treat myself to a few boxes**”—alongside family holidays and other modest splurges.
But in a heartwarming gesture of loyalty and gratitude, Littler didn’t forget the mate who has been a constant supporter through his meteoric rise. Shortly after lifting the trophy, the young champion sent a generous gift to Angry Ginge, sharing a portion of his £1 million earnings as a token of appreciation for their unbreakable bond. The act underscores Littler’s grounded nature despite his superstar status—he’s quick to share the spotlight and success with those closest to him.
On stage, amid hugs from family and embraces from friends like Ginge, Littler paid emotional tributes, borrowing words from boxing icon Anthony Joshua: “**Just like AJ said, the first time was so nice I had to do it twice**.” Joining legends like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson as a back-to-back champion, Littler has now reached the final in all three of his World Championship appearances, losing just once on the iconic Ally Pally stage.
This latest triumph extends his dominance, widening the gap at the top of the world rankings and solidifying his status as world No. 1. Yet, amid the confetti and celebrations, moments like gifting part of his fortune to Angry Ginge reveal the human side of the phenom—a teenager who values friendship as much as 180s. As darts continues to boom in popularity, thanks in large part to the “Littler effect,” stories like this remind fans why the sport captivates: it’s not just about the arrows, but the connections forged along the way. With Littler hinting he’s only scratching the surface—”**I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of me yet**”—the future looks explosively bright.
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