Darts sensation Luke Littler makes lifestyle change despite free offer for life
Luke Littler has revealed he will no longer be gorging on fast food late at night after joining the professional tour full-time.
The talented 17-year-old became a household name overnight courtesy of a fairytale run at the PDC World Championships, where he became the youngest ever player to reach the final aged 16. But the youngster missed out on landing a maiden major after losing 7-4 to World No.1 Luke Humphries in the showpiece event.
Hot Spot, Littler's local takeaway in Warrington, offered him free kebabs for life in the aftermath of his historic run at the World Championships after he toasted his first round victory with a kebab with the restaurant even naming a kebab after him: lThe Luke The Nuke special.
But the teenager has already committed to some big lifestyle changes since joining the pro tour - including the decision to ditch takeaway food, such as kebabs. In an interview with The Times, he explained: “It’s not seen as a good thing [fast food]. Darts players get what we want, really.” He added: “My manager said, ‘When you finish, it could be 11 or 12, it’s all fast food.’ So I’ve got to look after myself, eat before I play. When I’ve finished, even if I stay up to whenever, I just won’t eat. This is my new way of living.”
While Littler's popularity has helped elevate interest in the sport, he recently played down the chances of playing darts beyond the age of 30. After years on the junior circuit, Littler admits he may walk away in just 10 years - meaning could retire at the age of 27. He added: “I’ve been playing a long time in the juniors, in the old British Darts Federation. I might just do ten or fifteen years and retire, if I’ve had enough.”
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Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen urged people to stop putting pressure on Littler this week. The Dutchman beat Littler in the semi-finals of night four of the Premier League before going on to beat Nathan Aspinall in the final. Van Gerwen stressed: “He’s a young kid. How much pressure everyone puts on his shoulders is insane. I know, as a player, how it is. I don’t think it’s fair on him. But that’s my opinion.
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Little celebrated his first round win at the PDC World Championships with a kebab (FACEBOOK)
Littler is now apart of the Premier League (PA)"Let him enjoy his life. Let him do his own thing. If he puts his shoe on, puts his darts in the sand, put his finger in his nose, whatever he does, people speak about it. Of course that happens with famous people, but let him live his life. I just like darts and I want to protect the product. I like to perform to the highest level, and that’s why I like to play against Luke Littler. But if you keep doing this, I’ve seen a lot of kids in his position drift off. So I don’t think that’s good for the sport.”
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