The O2 Arena in London was a cauldron of energy on May 29, 2025, as 15,000 fans packed the venue for the Premier League Darts final, where teenage sensation Luke Littler faced off against world No. 1 Luke Humphries. The 18-year-old prodigy, known as “The Nuke,” fell short in a thrilling 11-8 defeat, unable to defend his 2024 title and missing out on the £275,000 prize. Yet, amidst the raucous cheers and flying pints, Littler’s rumored friend, 19-year-old beautician Faith Millar, was spotted in the VIP area, passionately supporting the darts wunderkind alongside his parents, Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler. “No one likes losing, but I am fine,” Littler told reporters, his resilience shining through despite the loss. “I am glad to say it’s over as it has been a tough 17 weeks. I will be back next year.”
Littler’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. The reigning PDC World Champion, who made history in January 2025 by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days, dominated the Premier League’s 16-week league phase. He topped the table with a record-breaking 45 points, winning six nightly events, including a historic fifth win in Birmingham against Van Gerwen. “I’m very happy. The fifth nightly win was going to come at some point,” Littler said after that victory, exuding confidence. His semi-final win over Gerwyn Price, a 10-7 comeback, showcased his trademark flair, highlighted by a 144 checkout that sent the crowd into a frenzy. However, Humphries, battling a cut on his throwing hand, proved too strong in the final, capitalizing on Littler’s 29.6% checkout rate to secure the “Triple Crown” of darts titles.
Faith Millar, hailing from Wigan, just 15 miles from Littler’s hometown of Warrington, has been a visible presence in his corner since their friendship blossomed in February 2025. The pair, first photographed together at a BoohooMan Q&A event in Manchester in March, have grown close, with Millar reportedly meeting Littler’s parents. “Faith and Luke have become firm friends and enjoy one another’s company a lot,” a source close to the duo revealed. Their bond, described as a friendship rather than a romance, comes nine months after Littler’s split from former girlfriend Eloise Milburn, a 22-year-old amateur darts player. That relationship, sparked online through FIFA 23 in 2023, faced scrutiny due to their age gap, prompting Littler to guard his personal life more closely. A viral moment in October 2024, when YouTuber Morgan Burtwistle teased Littler about an unidentified female voice during a livestream, fueled speculation about Millar. “F*** sake,” Littler chuckled, brushing off the jest, but he has since kept details private, focusing on his darting exploits.
Millar’s presence at the O2, captured on Sky Sports’ broadcast, underscored her support during a high-stakes moment. Littler, who has amassed over £1.5 million in prize money and five major PDC titles, including the 2024 Premier League, Grand Slam, and World Series Finals, remains a global phenomenon. His nine-darter in the 2024 Premier League final and a record-breaking 140.91 set average at the 2025 World Championship cemented his status as a darting prodigy. “I have set many records, and I don’t think they will be broken,” he said post-final, reflecting on his meteoric rise. Despite the loss, Littler’s hunger was evident, with the World Matchplay as his next target.
The Premier League final wasn’t without controversy. Littler was struck by an object thrown from the crowd, a reminder of the intense atmosphere where fans, frustrated by £9.80 pint prices, often shower the arena with beer. “The crowd got involved, and it made it worse,” Littler noted after a previous match, highlighting the challenges of playing amid such fervor. As he prepares for the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt alongside Humphries, Littler’s focus remains unshaken. With Millar and his family in his corner, the teenager’s journey—marked by resilience, records, and a relentless drive—promises more chapters in his already legendary career.
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