Luke Littler address darts hype train that has taken him back to Bullseye as Ryan Meikle eyes upset

Bullseye boy Luke Littler is ready to explode onto the Ally Pally stage on a wave of hype.

But barber Ryan Meikle believes a win over Gary Anderson proves he can cut The Nuke down and show him what he could have won. Littler’s explosion will hit home on Saturday night with a sell-out arena and millions tuning in to watch on TV. The 17-year-old’s meteoric rise sparked ITV into bringing back Bullseye and he’ll be on Sunday's Christmas Special with Freddie Flintoff. Littler smiled: “I was glad to be the first one on it. Hopefully it went really well and the viewers can see it and make a new series out of it. My parents watched it. Hopefully they can make a brand new series.”

But Meikle hopes to be rolling out the speedboat to the sad music. The Ipswich crimper had to deal with a game against Fallon Sherrock in round one, but it's now off the charts in terms of interest. Meikle sank Anderson at last month’s Players Championship and said: “It was massive. That was the confidence and belief that I needed.”

On the Little hype train, he continued: “I have never had as much media attention in my life. It is not because of who I am. Everyone is talking about Luke. I have been working since the draw came out. All people keep saying is: You have got Luke Littler.

“What he has done for darts is ridiculous. People who I never thought would talk about darts have done so. I feel lucky to play him. I am a massive fan. What he did. The way he talks. I think he is unbelievable. I cannot give him enough credit.”

Littler looked sharp with haircut as he won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year this week and Meikle laughed: “I honestly get a lot of messages, did you bring your clippers? I think Luke must have a good barber somewhere. Maybe