What Luke Littler is really like behind the scenes at PDC Darts events

This time last year, Luke Littler was a little-known darts prodigy making waves with his first-ever appearance at the World Darts Championship. A year on, and he has become the sport's most recognisable face, with an ascent to fame as sharp as the points of his 23-gram darts.

Yet there’s a side of Littler that remains unseen by the public. However, World Darts Championship competitor Stephen Bunting has lifted the lid on what the 17-year-old is like behind-the scenes.

He told Express Sport: “We see him week in week out on the Pro Tour. He’s literally sat there on his phone, he’ll be watching Man United play, or he’ll be playing a game.

“He might be chilling with a friend that he’s brought in [to watch]. He very rarely practises, he’ll probably stand up for 20 minutes, throw for the bull and it’s game on. He’s doing everything you’re taught not to do. But it works for him.”

Bunting believes Littler isn’t alone in his nonchalant approach to the sport though, comparing the teenage sensation to two-time world champion Gary Anderson.

“I think Gary Anderson is very similar, that’s the way he approaches the game, he doesn’t really practice that much. He gets up and averages 110 or whatever it is," he said.

“But Luke Littler has brought a ray of sunshine to our sport and long may it continue. He’s bringing new followers in daily and people are talking about it on the TV.”

Littler's hopes of getting his hands on the Sid Waddell trophy were only boosted following his first match at this year's World Championship, with the teen downing Ryan Meikle 3-1 on Saturday night. He returns to action following the Christmas break when he plays fellow Runcorn native Ian White in round three.

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