Luke Littler is probably the preferred family identify there may be in sport proper now.
A World Championship finalist, a European Tour Champion and possibly an England European Championship exit away from being a lock-in to win Sports activities Character of the Yr, the 17-year-old added the Premier League title to his ever-growing record of accolades on Thursday night time.
The prodigy-turned-world beater may hardly maintain again the tears as he embraced his girlfriend and household after beating World Championship nemesis Luke Humphries on the O2 enviornment, and it seems like his maiden TV title is his first of many extra to return.
However there may be extra to Littler than darts. Rising up within the social media age, he hasn’t been one to shrink back from his love of gaming and Manchester United. His face is plastered everywhere in the high manufacturers within the nation as they clamber for his signature. In the beginning of this yr, he was compelled to defend his relationship.
Mail Sport takes a more in-depth have a look at the brand new Premier League champion’s life away from the oche.
Luke Littler has turn out to be one of many largest names in sport after his meteoric rise in darts
The 17-year-old prodigy-turned-world beater, away from darts, likes to take pleasure in life with household
He hit new heights in profitable his first TV title on Thursday as he lifted the Premier League title
It have to be love
Eloise Milburn, then 21, acquired widespread backlash for her relationship with Littler, then 16, throughout his World Championship run in January.
Milburn, a magnificence guide, was slammed because of the age hole within the relationship and was branded a ‘cash grabber’, however Littler stated he would stick by her aspect ‘it doesn’t matter what individuals suppose’.
The pair started talking in the direction of the again finish of final yr, turning into shut as they shared their love of darts and soccer online game EA Sports activities FC (beforehand FIFA).
Littler lives in Warrington, Cheshire whereas Milburn is from Hersham, Surrey, which is greater than 200 miles away. The 2 had been launched to one another by way of Xbox by mutual darts buddies, resulting in a romance blossoming regardless of being at reverse ends of the nation.
Milburn was current on the O2 on Thursday to observe her lover safe his first TV title, they usually embraced as Littler left the stage following his victory.
Littler is cherished up with girlfriend Eloise Milburn (pictured), 22, who helps him at occasions
The pair met when Littler was 16 and Milburn was 21 and needed to combat off criticism from trolls
The couple have caught collectively amid Littler’s rise to stardom over the previous couple of months
Household first
Littler is commonly adopted across the nation and Europe by his mom, Lisa Littler, and father, Anthony Buckley.
The duo are The Nuke’s largest followers, and might take some type of credit score for his success after shopping for him his first dartboard and taking him to the pub to follow when he was younger.
Anthony is a taxi driver, whereas Lisa works at a store promoting scented candles.
Anthony revealed to The Instances earlier this yr that he had instructed Littler to surrender his dream of turning into a footballer when he was simply 9.
‘Think about darts,’ he revealed he instructed his son. ‘You may nonetheless play soccer right here and there. But when there is a darts comp on on the weekends, go to darts first.’
Lisa’s social media accounts are plastered with tributes to her son’s successes, whereas a video of Littler throwing darts aged simply 18 months emerged final yr, with Anthony, who was an off-the-cuff darts participant himself, taking credit score for Luke’s early introduction to the game.
On Thursday, they had been the primary individuals Luke ran over to embrace after being topped Premier League champion.
Littler is supported by his mom, Lisa (pictured), who stays to at the present time his largest fan
He embraced Lisa and father, Anthony Buckley, after he beat Luke Humphries on Thursday
Earnings
Previous to his 2024 World Championship run, Littler had received £2,500 in prize cash from rating tournaments. In reaching the ultimate of that competitors, he received £200,000.
His face was an image when grasp of ceremonies John McDonald introduced his £275,000 money prize for his victory on Thursday. That is to go alongside the £40,000 picked up from his 4 nightly wins within the qualification stage.
Victory within the Bahrain Masters noticed Littler beat three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in January and seal an additional £20,000.
One other £10,000 adopted for the Warrington-born star on the Dutch Masters, and he confirmed no indicators of slowing down by persevering with to take additional high-profile scalps within the former of Rob Cross within the Belgian Open and claimed one other £30,000.
Different earnings got here within the type of £15,000 after he reached the quarter-finals of the UK Open together with one other £15,000 for profitable the ProTour Gamers Championship
His complete PDC order of benefit earnings are actually registered at £303,500 for the final two years, whereas his 2024 prize winnings now complete £648,500 following a shocking 5 months of darts.
Littler has already earned £648,500 this yr, together with the £275,000 he picked up for his Premier League victory
Sponsorships
In February, Littler signed what stories recommended was a multi-year, multi-million-pound skilled contract with Goal Darts, whose purchasers additionally embody Phil Taylor, Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross.
Away from darts, he’s the face of style model Boohoo man, penning a take care of the net retailer simply after turning 17.
Due to his darts success and the deal, Littler grew to become a millionaire in a matter of weeks, with sources suggesting he may construct up a £40 million fortune.
A fan of social media mega group The Sidemen, Littler was reportedly paid hundreds to star in an advert for ‘BEST’ cereal, consuming the breakfast whereas throwing three no-look bullseyes. Zerkaa of The Sidemen stated of the deal: ‘Having Luke Littler in our advertisements is ideal, as a result of he is 100 per cent the most effective at darts in our eyes, the person’s already a legend!’
Littler can also be set to stamp his identify on fitness center gear, weightlifting and martial arts package and waist trimming train belts, in response to The Solar.
It’s reported that he lodged his software to trademark his identify with the Mental Property Workplace weeks in the past and has ambitions to additionally adorn footballs, golf and tennis balls, ‘gymnastic and sporting articles’ and darts gear along with his moniker.
With the teenager on the high stage to remain, manufacturers can be combating for his signature for years to return.
He was reportedly paid hundreds to star in an advert for The Sidemen’s BEST cereal launch
He is met plenty of influencers, together with KSI (proper) following his rise to the highest of his sport
Gaming and streaming
Littler typically streams on social media platform TikTok whereas taking part in his beloved Xbox.
He revealed after coming second within the World Championship that he could be spending a few of his winnings on the EA FC recreation, and has additionally stated earlier than that he enjoys taking part in it throughout his down time.
Earlier this yr, he joined social media ‘Professional Membership’ workforce ‘Girth N Turf’, headed by influencers Yung Filly and Indignant Ginge.
He is related with the influencer neighborhood since his rise, and was snapped just lately with Filly whereas additionally competing in a soccer problem on YouTube alongside the likes of Ginge and Pieface23.
Littler is a key member of the squad, which additionally consists of the likes of Wayne Rooney, and might often be heard on the channels of others concerned.
He’s a daily within the Girth N Turf Professional Golf equipment workforce on EA Sports activities FC (beforehand FIFA) alongside the likes of Yung Filly (left)
He has previously dwell streamed himself taking part in the online game on TikTok alongside his girlfriend
Getting away
Regardless of his current large pay days, Littler hasn’t jetted off to the likes of Dubai or Barbados along with his new discovered wealth.
After his World Championship run, he revealed he was going to go to Alton Towers along with his buddies, and just lately posed for snap whereas on a visit to Blackpool along with his different half.
In April, Milburn shared a snap of the pair getting drenched at Pleasure Seashore, captioned: ‘Good little day trip.’
In June, in the meantime, he’ll skip the Nordic Masters on account of household commitments, along with his supervisor telling The Solar: ‘He is nonetheless an adolescent, nonetheless 17 – if he wasn’t taking part in darts, he’d be doing an apprenticeship or nonetheless be at school. So there are duties of care we’ve to comply with to take care of Luke as finest as we will.’
There can be no non-public jets or Burj Khalifa journeys, at the very least not but.
Remaining humble, Littler would moderately spend time along with his household regionally than jet away to unique locations overseas
A snap of Littler and Milburn was shared on the latter’s Instagram as they loved a day trip at Blackpool Pleasure Seashore
Littler is a large Manchester United fan, and posed with the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson throughout his go to to Outdated Trafford
United welcomed Littler to Outdated Trafford forward of their match towards Spurs earlier this season
Manchester United’s No 1 fan!
Littler has made completely no secret of his love for Manchester United, and was heckled when the Premier League stopped at Liverpool in week 13.
{The teenager} was invited to Outdated Trafford after his rise to fame within the World Championships, and has even performed darts towards a number of the membership’s high stars.
He is additionally been seen donning United shirts out and about. Pink Devils till he dies.
