DART OF GOLD
Down-to-earth hero Luke Littler, 17, takes his family out just hours after £500k World Darts Championship win
Littler reveals how he wants to splash some of his 1.5m earnings this year
LUKE LITTLER treated his family to a low-key lunch just days after pocketing £500,000 from his World Darts Championship win.
The Littler family tucked into some food to celebrate the teenager's record-breaking 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen.
16
16
16
16
16
16
The 17-year-old became the PDC's youngest ever world champion, knocking Van Gerwen, who won his first title at 24, off his perch.
Littler has now banked more than £1.5million in prize money since turning pro in January 2024.
The Nuke's monumental win saw him rocket to No2 in the world rankings, which is based on prize money over a two-year period.
The teenage sensation was doing media duties at the Hilton Hotel in Angel, Islington until the early hours after leaving Ally Pally.
READ MORE ON LITTLER
But Littler treated his family, who stayed in a London apartment for the whole tournament, to a spot of lunch on Saturday.
Photographers pictured some of the Littler clan, including mum Lisa and dad Anthony, heading to pick up food before leaving the capital.
Luke opted for comfort as his casual attire included grey Under Armour tracksuit bottoms and a blue 'Nuke the Luke' sweater.
Dad Anthony, 43, could also be seen wearing a navy 'Littler' hoodie, while Lisa, 40, wrapped up in a beige body-long gilet in the winter cold.
Most read in Darts
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Both could be seen shielding from the freezing conditions, as Lisa sported a River Island scarf and black bag.
But older brother Leon and big sister Caitlin, who is tipped for a reality show, were nowhere to be seen.
‘It may not happen again’ - Luke Littler prediction looks silly as he explains major decision in resurfaced footage
16
16
16
16
The photos were the last ones snapped in London before the family headed back to Warrington.
And just as well as ice and heavy snowfall dropped over the UK on Saturday night, threatening Littler's favourite football team's match.
Manchester United's trip to Anfield was at risk of being postponed due to safety fears after heavy snow overnight in the North West.
The teenager is a lifelong supporter of United, who currently sit 14th in the Premier League after suffering from their worst run of form in decades.
The next the public had heard from Littler was when he posted a hilarious picture of him sleeping with the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Following a hectic end to the tournament, Littler captioned the post, which also showed off a picture of his dog, Nala: "Home sweet home. Think Nala loves it too."
He was seen snuggling up with the silver trophy in bed under a Santa-themed bed spread.
16
16
The image echoed the photo of football superstar Lionel Messi sleeping with the World Cup trophy after winning it with Argentina in 2022.
After bagging the £500,000 prize pot Littler burst into tears on the stage as he also rocketed from 164 to No.2 in he rankings since last January.
He said: "I can't believe it. Honestly. I can't believe it.
"We both played so well. I knew I needed to get off to a great start, and that's what I did.
"Michael was right behind me the whole game.
"Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. So it really is a dream come true."
The Warrington-born ace hit 25 out of 45 on the doubles, an impressive 55 per cent.
He continued: "I was practising backstage on the tops and 10s (D10).
"At 2-0 up I started getting nervous but I said to myself 'just relax'.
"I was throwing for the match but to get it over and done with was special."
He added: "I could end 2025 winning absolutely nothing. But I picked up the best.
"I want to get more than 10 titles this year. But if I end 2025 with nothing, I have picked the big one up."
16
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 - £500,000
World Championship 2024 - £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000
European Tour - £91,000
Player Championships events - £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500
World Matchplay - £10,000
World Grand Prix - £7,500
European Championship - £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
Littler attracted a historic TV audience as he lit up Ally Pally.
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.
The darts sensation became a worldwide phenomenon after his fairytale run to the World Darts Final last January ended in heartbreak.
Littler revealed he rewatched the 2024 final defeat to Humphries before the Van Gerwen clash to inspire him to victory.
But the only concern 12 months later was when the Nuke appeared to injure himself with the trophy on the stage during the celebrations.
However, his brother insisted that would not stop the partying - although he recognised there is a limit on what they can do because Luke does not turn 18 until January 21.
16
16
Leon told The Sun of their celebration plans: "Can't do much with him, can you? He's 17.
"He'll go out, chill on his game, maybe order some food. I'll do the celebrating for him."
Littler was pictured handing over a wad cash to his sibling as the family headed for a taxi after leaving Ally Pally.
The champ himself later added his grand plans to beat Phil Taylor's staggering PDC record of 16 world titles.
He continued: "If I want the 16, then I am sure I could possibly achieve it.
“If deep down, if I really want it, then with my ability, I’m sure I can achieve a lot more. But I know I’m in this for a long, long time.
“I just want to try and win as many titles as I can this year. I won ten last year."
Littler also wants to prioritise getting his driving licence sorted after intense scheduling left him unable to book lessons last year.
He said: “I would love to do my driving before it gets too late. 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!
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“What model? No idea. Just an A-Class. I don’t know the different models."
The hero is set to defend his Bahrain Darts Masters title on January 16 before going on to defend his Premier League crown in February.
16
World Darts Championship - top stories
READ MORE on all the fall-out from Luke Littler's incredible world title win...
- All the happens in our LIVE BLOG
- Littler blows away Van Gerwen to win world title aged 17
- Littler is more than a darts player - he's a multi-million pound commodity
- Incredible rise in darts viewing figures revealed
- Littler miles off being world No 1 despite £500k win
- Littler breaks incredible record with stunning win
- Fans praise Sky Sports for 'lovely' Donna Mardle touch
- Fans in tears as Chris Hoy presents Ballon d'Art trophy
- Van Gerwen makes another X-rated comment on live TV
- Littler reveals unusual preparation for final
- Inside wild celebrations at Littler's darts academy
- How Littler celebrated incredible win - as tributes pour in
- Littler copies iconic Lionel Messi trophy picture
Topics