Luke Littler warned opponent will steal his phone to unsettle darts wonderkid

22 February 2024 , 07:33

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Luke Littler is regularly spotted on his phone away from the oche (Image: Shane Healey/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)

Peter Wright has joked he will take Luke Littler's phone so he can "unsettle him" when the two clash.

Littler has taken his sport by storm and has quickly began mixing it with the biggest names despite his tender age and lack of experience. The teenager enjoyed a breakout tournament at the World Darts Championship and has already gone on to claim honours.

The youngster is known for his relaxed attitude and has made no secret of his love for his Xbox and various games. He's been snapped playing games on his phone and Wright has claimed that nicking it off him could end up giving him an advantage.

He jokingly told Sports Boom: "I'm going to take his phone off him in the back room so he can't play games, that’ll unsettle him." When I was at his age, when I used to go to an exhibition and play one of the pros, the attitude was like 'I've got to smash you up'. That's what sort of attitude Luke's got, which makes it a great game anytime anyone plays him."

Wright and Littler will square off on night four of the Premier League in Newcastle. Wright is a two-time champion and knows the threat that faces him, but insists the teenage sensation shouldn't be getting any easy ride.

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He said: "As soon as he starts getting beaten up on the floor and then coming to the Premier League, get beaten up again, no one's going to go round and hold him and make sure he's all right. I don’t think he should be babysat; the Premier League is the hardest darts tournament to play, and he’s got to deal with that."

Littler has already showcased his temperament and composure, most notably at Ally Pally. He saw off the likes of Rob Cross to make the final, where he was eventually undone. His journey though captured the imagination and Wright has been influenced by his efforts.

Peter Wright is hoping to get the better of his junior opponent (PDC)

"He's inspired me with what he's done for the game, bringing all the press and potential sponsors into the game," he said. "It's fantastic for darts and it's fantastic for all the youngsters out there who are inspiring to be a darts player. You don’t have to be 50-year-old with tons of experience to be a world champion anymore. He was so close to being a world champion.”

Elsewhere on night four of the Premier League Michael Smith will take on Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross faces the world champion Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price squares off with Michael van Gerwen.

Samuel Meade