In the electrifying world of professional darts, one name has been reverberating through arenas and living rooms alike: Luke Littler. The 18-year-old prodigy, dubbed “The Nuke,” has not only captured the sport’s biggest stages but has redefined its global appeal, according to legendary darts referee and PDC ambassador Russ Bray. Known as “The Voice of Darts” for his iconic gravelly calls, Bray has witnessed the sport’s evolution over nearly three decades, and he credits Littler with propelling darts to unprecedented heights.
Littler’s meteoric rise began with a stunning debut at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship, where, at just 16, he reached the final, facing off against world number one Luke Humphries. Although he fell short, losing 7-4, Littler’s performance captivated audiences, showcasing a rare blend of precision, composure, and raw talent. Bray, who officiated that final—his last televised ranking match before transitioning to a PDC ambassador role—marveled at Littler’s impact. “Luke Littler has brought darts to the fore,” Bray remarked, noting how the teenager’s success has sparked a “youth explosion” in the sport. This surge in popularity has filled venues, boosted television viewership, and ignited social media, drawing a new generation of fans and players.
The “Luke Littler effect” extends beyond the oche. Bray, whose distinctive voice graces a popular darts app, revealed that his earnings from the app skyrocketed from an average of £12,000 annually to £30,000 in a single year, largely due to Littler’s influence. “A guy got hold of me from up north and asked if he could do a Russ Bray darts app,” Bray shared. “I said, ‘How much is it going to cost me?’ He said, ‘Nothing. All you’ve got to do is record names and numbers.’” The app, which allows users to simulate matches with Bray’s voice calling scores, became one of the most downloaded in its category, a testament to Littler’s role in amplifying darts’ cultural footprint.
Littler’s achievements are staggering for his age. In 2025, he clinched the PDC World Championship title at just 17 years and 347 days, becoming the youngest world champion in darts history. His six major televised titles—including the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, and the 2025 UK Open and World Matchplay—place him joint eighth in PDC history for major wins. Bray attributes Littler’s success to his natural talent and unburdened mindset. “We forget the fact he is just a kid,” Bray said. “He plays on his Xbox or whatever he does. I think a lot of the pressure is taken away. He doesn’t have other pressures you get as an adult like when you get married, running your car, running your home.” This freedom, Bray believes, allows Littler to channel his focus purely into his game, resulting in a tournament-high 64 180s and a 102.13 three-dart average at the 2025 World Championship.
Bray also sees Littler as a catalyst for darts’ global expansion, particularly in regions like Asia. Reflecting on his experiences refereeing in places like India and Mongolia, Bray highlighted the sport’s growing infrastructure in India, where 14-year-old Aryaveer Chokhani has emerged as a potential rival to Littler. “He’s their national champion, he’s mustard,” Bray enthused. “When I say he’s good, I’m talking absolutely, magnificently good.” With India’s population exceeding a billion, Bray is optimistic about unearthing more talents like Chokhani, predicting, “There’s got to be a Luke Littler, a Phil Taylor, a Michael van Gerwen.”
Despite Littler’s dominance, Bray acknowledges the sport’s increasing competitiveness. “If the world No. 39 can win a major, then why not a World Championship?” he mused, referencing the depth of talent in modern darts. He believes that while Littler has the potential to emulate legends like Phil Taylor, who won 16 world titles, the current field’s depth makes such dominance unlikely. “Luke has the attributes to become like Phil Taylor and dominate darts for the next 20 years,” Bray said. “Will he want to? Only he can answer that.”
As Littler continues to dazzle, Bray’s own legacy endures. Beyond his app, he earns £37.50 per 30-second personalized video on Cameo, amassing £18,000 from fan messages. His voice, synonymous with darts’ most thrilling moments, remains a cornerstone of the sport’s identity. Yet, it’s Littler’s emergence that Bray sees as a defining moment. “The kid has been amazing, he has been phenomenal,” Bray told GB News, reflecting on Littler’s ability to handle intense scrutiny. From a toddler throwing darts in a diaper to a global superstar, Littler’s journey, as Bray puts it, is “living proof” of darts’ transformative power, taking the sport to “major levels” and inspiring a new era of players and fans worldwide.
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