Luke Littler celebrates fairytale darts run with late-night post-final Deliveroo

04 January 2024 , 10:29

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Luke Littler enjoyed some junk food after his defeat at Ally Pally

Luke Littler celebrated his £200,000 payday at the World Championship with a low-key takeaway at his hotel.

Littler was beaten 7-4 by world No.1 Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night. But despite finishing as the runner-up, the 16-year-old ended the night with new-found celebrity status thanks to his astonishing run over the past few weeks.

He has captured the imagination of fans across the world through his nerveless play on the biggest stage and remarkable talent, which saw him beat five-time winner Raymond van Barneveld and 2018 champion Rob Cross on the way to the final. Littler has won hearts with his down-to-earth personality and has grabbed headlines through his love of a kebab.

Littler has spoken about his pre-match ritual, which typically involves a fry-up and a pizza, but he chose a different treat after the defeat by Humphries. He was seen grabbing a Yazoo milkshake and packets of Doritos and Wotsits from a garage next to his hotel before a Deliveroo driver delivered a meal.

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Littler revealed his choice: “I just went for a cheese burger and chips.” He explained that reports of his love of a kebab had been blown out of proportion, adding: “Even the kebab thing, it was just a joke and it’s world trending!”

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Luke Littler got a takeaway delivered

His manager grabbed some crisps and a milkshake from a garage

One attention-seeking travel company even offered the teenager the chance to travel to Turkey and become their ‘Top Kebab Taste Tester’. But Littler has eyes for other food besides kebabs.

Asked on GMB about his pre-match routine before the final, he explained: “I had scrambled eggs and beans on toast for dinner. I woke up at 12. Then we go to the venue, sign everyone in, get the wristbands on, have a margarita pizza and then throw for like half an hour or 45 minutes, go and bull-up to see who throws first, play a bit of Football Manager then back on the board.”

The fascination with Littler’s post-match meal came after he posted a photo of himself enjoying a kebab after one of his wins earlier in the tournament. Asked about the choice of food, Littler said: “My manager got that kebab but I didn’t really like it. It’s trending worldwide. This time I'll get my own... I think it will be another kebab.”

Luke Littler was not too down after his loss

Luke Littler shared the crisps with his manager

His manager, Martin Foulds, had clearly taken the feedback on board, as he allowed Littler to make the decision on Wednesday night. Goulds is part of a close inner circle for the darts sensation, who has been supported by the majority of his family and his girlfriend in north London.

Eloise Milburn, 21, has been in the crowd at Ally Pally to support her boyfriend alongside his mum Lisa Littler, 40, who works in a candle shop, and his taxi driver dad, Anthony Buckley, 43, and his brother Leon, 20, who was given a night off from his job in a pub to cheer on his sibling. Littler’s sister Caitlin, 21, had to stay at home in Warrington to look after the family dog.

Littler turns 17 later this month and has promised to use some of his winnings to pay for driving lessons and a thankyou present for his parents. He has also revealed plans to treat his friends to a day out in Blackpool or Alton Towers.

Felix Keith