Luke Littler sends classy Damon Heta message after missing out on World Darts Championship bonus

Luke Littler, the rising star in darts, has sent a message to Damon Heta after the Australian achieved the second nine-dart finish at the PDC World Darts Championship.

Littler, also known as The Nuke, came tantalisingly close to achieving the same feat, which would have landed him £60,000 and an equal amount for a lucky spectator at Alexandra Palace during the second round before Christmas.

Heta's impressive finish occurred during a crucial stage of his second-round duel with Englishman Luke Woodhouse, who was leading by a set while they were tied on legs during Friday's afternoon session. Despite this, the 37-year-old couldn't maintain his 3-1 lead over Woodhouse, who secured his place in the last-16.

Littler's brushed with history happened during his 3-1 victory over Ryan Meikle, where he averaged an incredible 140.91 in the fourth and final set. The 17 year old darts prodigy narrowly missed the nine-dart finish with his final arrow on the oche, hitting the wire on double 12.

He took to Instagram to post: "That's how ya do it [crying face emoji] well done @damon.heta180."

After his near miss, which resulted in a fan missing out on the Paddy Power £60,000 bonus, Littler felt compelled to apologise. "It's definitely becoming a frustration in a good way.

"Obviously, as soon as you make the switch to the treble 19, your eyes light up. I heard the camera pan around to the winner, so I'm sorry whoever you are! I'll try again."

Littler is aiming to make history by becoming the first player in PDC history to record five perfect legs in a calendar year, having achieved nine-dart finishes at the Bahrain Darts Masters, Players Championship, Belgian Darts Open and in the Premier League final.