Premier League darts announcement LIVE: Full line-up REVEALED as Luke Littler leads the way but two World Champs AXED
THE PREMIER League Darts line-up has now been CONFIRMED - and two former world champions have been AXED from the competition
Tournament holder and new world champ Luke Littler will be looking to retain the title he won during his unprecedented first 12 months in the sport.
Littler will compete in the 17-week extravaganza alongside some of the sport's biggest names, including Michael van Gerwen and World No1 Luke Humphries.
But TWO former world champs have been brutally AXED from the star-studded eight-man field.
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Littler beams at message from hero
Luke Littler revealed his phone went berserk when he switched it back on after the final as it flooded with messages.
Littler said: “Just went back. Turned my phone off airplane mode.
"I think I lost 20 per cent of my battery by the time the notification cames through. I replied to so many people."
Littler - an avid Manchester United fan - beamed as he opened up on receiving a text from football hero David Beckham.
He said: “Obviously, David Beckham messaged. He said: ‘Great, well done.’”
Littler added: “Yeah, it’s been crazy. I only had four hours sleep."
Michael Van Gerwen bashed by a pal
Michael Van Gerwen's friend slammed his performance against Luke Littler as "unforgivable" and "not good enough".
The Dutchman was smashed 7-3 by the teenage sensation in Friday night's World Championship final.
Vincent van der Voort, who is a two-time quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace and close pals with Van Gerwen, criticised his start to the match.
Littler raced into a 4-0 lead in the final and it gave MVG a mountain to climb.
Littler refuses request
LUKE LITTLER refused a reporter's request after being crowned world champion.
Humble Littler has often played down his talents and after his victory in the Premier League, he denied being the greatest darts player on the planet.
He said: "No. I don't know [who], not me."
But after picking up the Sid Waddell trophy, The Nuke was asked in his press conference: "Will you now tell us all if you are the best player in the world?"
Littler cheekily grinned and replied: "I won't tell. I won't say.
"Maybe stats-wise I might be the best. But I will never say it."
MVG's words for Littler
LUKE LITTLER revealed the five-word message Michael van Gerwen told him immediately after their PDC World Darts Championship final.
Littler told talkSPORT: "Yeah, he said just enjoy it.
"But then he went over slightly to the side, and he said, 'Keep crying boy, keep crying.'
"He's like 30-odd years old and I'm 17, but to break his record is crazy.
"If I didn't do it tonight I could have still done it, but to do it how I did was unbelievable."
Littler's aim
LUKE LITTLER is aiming to become the greatest darts player in history – perhaps by the age of 40.
“It will take however many times. Phil Taylor won many. I know Michael has won 100-plus titles and three worlds.
“But for myself, I want to win as much as I can.
“I just want to pick up every title. Obviously that’s what people will be looking into, after I won my first world title so young.
“But if I want it, then I’m sure deep down I can go do it.
“I’ve said previously I would like to win one of every major and then add on to them.
“But I could be chasing Michael’s three titles – and potentially Phil’s 16.”
Littler's the new working class hero
Luke Littler is more than just a darts player, he’s a multi-million pound commodity, the UK’s latest working class hero.
Read our feature below about what awaits the Nuke in 2025.
Littler's controversial 147 answer
LUKE LITTLER gave a controversial answer when asked what is more difficult out of a nine-darter and a 147.
Asked which is harder to pull off, Littler replied: "I think it has to be a 147.
"I don't know the rules of snooker. I think you pot a red ball and you pot a coloured ball and go over and over again, but it's really hard.
"I'd say a 147 is a lot harder."
Amorim channeling Littler
RUBEN AMORIM urged his Manchester United flops to use Luke Littler’s world darts triumph to hit the bullseye against Liverpool.
An Old Trafford insider revealed: “Ruben is well aware of the Herculean task in front of him and his players — not just today.
“He wants the team to start channelling the same self-belief Luke showed in Friday’s world final.
“Luke was unstoppable because he was determined to win.
“The players need to show the same courage against Liverpool.
“They’re all pretty close to Luke and know victory against Liverpool would cap the most memorable weekend for their most famous fan.”
Littler shares childhood snap
Luke Littler took to Instagram to share an image of him as a youngster.
He captioned the photo: "Journey’s been pretty good so far❤️ looking forward to what the rest of 2025 has in store🎯"
Littler's trophy reveal
LUKE Littler has revealed where the Sid Waddell trophy will go his in swish Warrington mansion.
The exciting teenager became the youngest darts world champion ever when he beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3.
He said: “When we moved into the house, there were two cabinets on either side of the TV.
“We were like: ‘There’s only one thing going in there, and that’s all the trophies.’
“Will I get a man cave? Not at the minute. I just have to see where it goes.
“Yeah, I’m very different to a normal 17-year-old. I am glad I’ve gotten into this darts world.
“I don’t go out, wandering around the streets. I have really knuckled down on this sport.”
Just like Messi
Earlier, we showed you Luke Littler sleeping with the Sid Waddell trophy.
It's just football hero Lionel Messi, who did the same when he won the World Cup.
Littler at home
Luke Littler's settling at home nicely with the Sid Waddell trophy.
He might have even gone to bed with it! Brilliant stuff.
Viewing figures are in!
LUKE LITTLER attracted record viewing figures for his World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen.
The world number two blitzed his opponent to claim his maiden world title - becoming the youngest player to do so.
Littler, 17, has been a popular figure since appearing on the world stage last year.
He took the darts world by storm and after winning the Premier League and Grand Slam this year became the most googled sports person in the UK.
The teen's fame saw a peak audience of 3.1million tune into Sky Sports for Friday's final at Ally Pally.
That is the highest number the broadcaster has attracted for a non-football event since last year's final between Littler and Luke Humphries, which had a peak of 3.7m.
Littler to buy new car
MODEST Luke Littler will splash out some of his £1.5million winnings on a basic Mercedes-Benz car – which he cannot drive yet.
Littler said: “I’ve always loved a Mercedes A-Class.
“Just a small car. Last year I was looking at driving and I loved Ford Focuses.
“But now, I’ve gone up in the world just a little!
“What model? No idea. Just an A-Class. I don’t know the different models.
“I’m going to have to do my lessons before I get into my twenties when it’ll be too late and I can’t be bothered.
“It won't be a birthday present. I think it would be a birthday present from me to me."
Littler's watch
LUKE LITTLER wore a luxury £5,500 as he beat Michael van Gerwen to win the World Darts Championship.
The teen sensation created history as he became the youngest winner of the tournament.
Littler won in style as he breezed into a 4-0 lead before winning 7-3, while he also wore a classy watch.
The world number two had a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph strapped to his wrist for the duration of the clash.
The silver timepiece, which retails for £5,500, is a 42mm steel case which also contains sapphire.
Littler has revealed the ‘one thing he wants to do before it’s too late’
Littler has revealed the next thing he wants to achieve after fulfilling his boyhood dream of becoming world champion.
Asked in his press conference this morning if there was anything he wished he had done in the last 12 months, The Nuke revealed: “I’m very different to normal 17-year-old.
“I would love to do my driving before it gets too late.
“I am glad I have got into this darts world.
“I don’t go out, wandering around the streets. I have really knuckled down on this sport.”
Littler: Snooker’s 147 must be harder than a nine-darter
The world champ told the BBC: “I think it has to be a 147.
“I don’t know the rules of snooker exactly but it’s really hard. I’d say a 147 is a lot harder.”
A nine-dart check-out involves just nine pinpoint throws of a dart, whereas a 147 break involves 36 pinpoint pots on the snooker table.
Van Gerwen also agrees with Littler as he believes potting all 15 reds with 15 blacks for 120 points, followed by all six colours for a further 27 points, is tougher than throwing nine perfect darts.
Current PDC Order of Merit after Friday's final
The main PDC Order of Merit is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments.
Littler won £500,000 after his 7-3 triumph over Michael van Gerwen, who bagged £200,000 for finishing runner-up.
- Luke Humphries £1,804,250
- Luke Littler £1,118,500
- Michael van Gerwen £815,500
- Rob Cross £551,750
- Stephen Bunting £536,000
- Dave Chisnall £528,500
- Jonny Clayton £494,000
- Damon Heta £484,000
- Gerwyn Price £480,500
- Chris Dobey £480,250
- Nathan Aspinall £470,500
- Peter Wright £442,500
- Danny Noppert £431,750
- Gary Anderson £430,500
- James Wade £426,750
- Josh Rock £405,000
Littler: I can hunt down Phil Taylor's title count
Luke Littler believes he can catch Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles after becoming the youngest ever PDC world darts champion.
Asked what he hoped to achieve next after securing his first world title, Littler told Sky News: “I’ve said previously, if I can win every major title in my career then I’ll be happy.
“I’d like to add on the world titles, and deep down, if I want to break the record of Phil Taylor, I’ve got the ability to.
“If I want it, I’m sure I can do it.”
Phil Taylor holds the record with 16 world titlesCredit: Rex World champ to turn the tables on Liverpool fan Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler joked he was glad he beat Liverpool fan Bunting to the 2025 World Championship.
He said: "I'm glad I beat Stephen because I'm pretty sure he was taking it to Anfield."
The 17-year-old from Warrington is a huge fan.
Liverpool face Manchester United with a 23-point gap between the sides in the Premier League table.
Littler has declared his attention to parade his World Darts Championship trophy at Old Trafford after he became the youngest person in history to win the prestigious honour.
Credit: PA Littler's odds to surpass Phil Taylor's world title wins
Littler is 33-1 to beat Taylor's 16 world title wins after landing his first PDC World Darts Championship crown last night.
Taylor is widely considered as the GOAT of darts but many think Littler can exceed the retired hero's astonishing achievements.
One down... 16 to go to knock Taylor off his perch.
The Rooney family enjoyed Littler's world title triumph at Ally Pally
Luke Littler reveals the five words Michael van Gerwen said to him last night
The Nuke, 17, became the youngest world champion in history with his thrilling 7-3 victory over MVG.
After taking a moment to try and wrap his head around his achievement, Littler walked back across to shake hands with the Dutchman.
The pair embraced and Mighty Mike was spotted talking into Littler's ear as the youngster wiped his face before shaking hands with the officials and collecting his darts.
Littler told talkSPORT: "Yeah, he said just enjoy it.
"But then he went over slightly to the side, and he said, 'Keep crying boy, keep crying.'
Sky Sports apologised for second time in 24 hours
Three-time winner Michael Van Gerwen was gracious in defeat as Littler, 17, eclipsed the Dutchman - who won his first world title at 24 - by SEVEN YEARS to become the sport's youngest ever winner.
But he still slipped up and swore during his post-match interview live on Sky Sports.
When discussing Littler, Van Gerwen said: "I’m an old b*****d compared to him."
Sky Sports swiftly apologised for the comment.
It comes after Van Gerwen also swore live on air following Thursday's semi-final win over Chris Dobey.
Littler breaks silence this morning: I'm going straight to bed when I get home
On his favourite message so far
The world champ said today: “Obviously, David Beckham messaged me. He said: ‘Great, well done.”
Littler on his expected response back home: “No idea. Obviously, the cameras are going to be out. I will be spotted.
“But it’s literally drive home and straight to bed.”
What was that moment when you believed you could do it during the final?
The 17-year-old added: “I started to believe at 4-0. But I had to keep myself composed. Keep myself relaxed.
“Still a long way to go. I knew as soon as that double has gone in, I’d have all of the pictures in the world with the family.”
