Luke Littler, 17, breaks down in tears live on TV and forced to cut interview short after World Darts Championship win
LUKE LITTLER came within millimetres of celebrating an Ally Pally nine darter – and then started CRYING as he began his quest to become the youngest darts champion in history.
The Nuke missed double 12 in leg two of the fourth set of his 3-1 victory over Ryan Meikle in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Luke Littler sailed through to the next round of the World Darts Championship[/caption]
Littler tried to regain composure but Sky Sports did not continue the interview[/caption]
One member of the crowd was dreaming of possibly earning £60,000 cash-free if he had nailed the perfect leg.
Paddy Power are dishing out £180,000 whenever there is a nine-darter – £60,000 to the player who achievers the feat, £60,000 to the Prostate Cancer UK charity and £60,000 to one fan.
After two below-par opening sets, Littler went on a mad, electrifying run, and in set four he averaged 140.91 – an astonishing figure.
This is also a record average for one set at the Worlds, eclipsing Gerwyn Price’s previous best.
That is why he is favourite for the title on January 3 and this result means he will not have cold turkey on Christmas Day.
However, he was overcome with emotion after knocking out the Suffolk barber.
The 17-year-old was being interviewed on stage by Sky Sports’ Abigail Davies but then the chat was cut short as the tears flowed.
Littler said “I started off dead slow…” and then had to compose himself.
The crowd serenaded the teen sensation with chants of “There’s only one Luke Littler”.
He will now return after Christmas for a Last 32 date with either Ian White or Ritchie Edhouse.
