04 January 2024 , 15:48
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Luke Littler has vowed to stay with his girlfriend after the couple were on the receiving end of some nasty comments on social media.
Littler, 16, is going out with 21-year-old Eloise Milburn, who was a notable presence alongside his family during his run at the World Championship over the past few weeks. The two met online after being introduced by mutual friends because they both enjoy playing FIFA on Xbox.
He has grabbed the headlines, and secured a £200,000 runners-up cheque, by beating Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross before falling 7-4 to Luke Humphries in the final at Alexandra Palace. Littler has only been seeing Eloise for a few short months, but he is unfazed by some of the criticism that has been levelled at the couple due to the age gap.
“We’re gonna stick together now,” he told a press conference on Thursday. “We have been going for the past few months. We’re going to stick together whether anyone likes it or not, we’re not bothered.”
Eloise shares Littler’s love of darts and plays at the Walton Working Men's Club, as well as representing the Surrey Women's darts side. And, appearing on ITV show Good Morning Britain after his World Championship final appearance, Littler said: “Hopefully I can practise with Eloise and try and get her to where I am.”
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Littler has often been seen sharing a hug with Eloise before and after his matches at Ally Pally. She was in his group of supporters, which also contained his mum Lisa Littler, 40, who works in a candle shop, 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 in the final.
Eloise Milburn has faced abuse from online trolls (PA)
The couple are not fazed by the criticism (Getty Images)The teenage star from Warrington turns 17 later this month and wants to use some of his winnings to pay for driving lessons, as well as taking his friends to Alton Towers or for a day out in Blackpool. He also revealed that he has been missing his beloved Xbox since coming down to London for the tournament.
“I can’t wait to go back on my Xbox,” he told Good Morning Britain. He then admitted he was annoyed he hadn’t brought the Xbox down to north London from Warrington for the event, adding: “I didn’t expect it, [I] didn’t expect to get to the final.”
Asked about his training, he added: “Believe it or not, about half an hour, 45 minutes [per day]. I just practise on my own and it gets boring. I’m just bored. My Xbox is next to me, there’s a board there, so I just go on my Xbox.”