04 January 2024 , 21:23
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Luke Littler has revealed his favourite message during the World Darts Championship came from Manchester United and England legend David Beckham.
Littler is a United fan and said: "Before the final he sent me a message saying, 'Good luck, Luke - once a Red, always a Red.' That was class." Beckham's son Romeo was also in the crowd for the final on Wednesday to support Littler, who ultimately came up short against World No. 1 Luke Humphries.
Humphries beat Littler 7-4 at Alexandra Palace, but the 16-year-old has taken the sporting world by storm with his performances at the tournament. And Beckham was not the only United legend to have sent Littler a message of support.
Speaking before the final, he revealed: "I've got a lot of followers now. I've had a message off Luke Shaw from Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand. And messages off Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my game against Barney.
"It's just crazy, people who I have looked up to, especially my club Manchester United, wishing me luck." Littler began the tournament ranked 164th in the world, but is now ranked 31st after beating Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding, Matt Campbell, Raymond van Barneveld, Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross in his run to the final.
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He has also been rewarded with a spot on the prestigious Premier League tour alongside Humphries, Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall.
"It will be right up my street and I can't wait," Littler said of his inclusion on the tour. "Obviously Manchester and Liverpool are very close to my home town (Warrington) and I'm looking forward to the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Cardiff, Brighton.
Littler ultimately finished as runner-up to Luke Humphries (PA)"It's going to be an amazing experience. Playing darts week in, week out, in front of tens of thousands of fans, against the world's best players, is a dream come true.
"I'm looking forward to the Mercedes-Benz arena – it's massive and they have a nice crowd over there in Germany. It might be lively in Cardiff if I end up playing Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) there on the opening night when he gets the crowd on his side but it will be an amazing experience and a good test for myself.
"But that's the nature of the Premier League – I've just got to do what I do and show why I'm there every week."