Luke Littler has rattled the big boys of darts – they’re jealous of him, says former world champion

THE hype around Luke Littler has made other top players jealous, according to a former world champion.

Littler, 17, burst on to the scene at Alexandra Palace and is now part of the elite eight involved in the Premier League.

RexLuke Littler has become a household name just months after bursting onto the scene[/caption]

GettyDennis Priestley believes Luke Littler’s popularity is making other players jealous[/caption]

Luke the Nuke’s sensational rise to stardom has seen him go from a nobody to a household name within months.

And Dennis Priestley thinks several darts players are envious of all that attention.

The 1991 and 1994 World Championship winner reckons Littler’s ruffling of feathers has inspired Micheal van Gerwen‘s incredible form which has seen him win three of four Prem nights this year.

Priestly, 73, told OLBG: “Players will be jealous of Luke Littler.

“Obviously it’s going to be getting to them that a young guy has come on the scene and taken all the limelight away.

“I know the ‘Luke Littler mania’ spurred Michael van Gerwen on because he’s started to knuckle down and showing his potential again.

“Littler is definitely upsetting a lot of the top boys.”

Priestley, who is nicknamed “The Menace”, also responded to Littler’s claims that he is open to retiring in just ten years if he’s “had enough” of the game.

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The darts icon said: “If Littler really wants to retire from darts in 10-15 years, then looking after his money is exactly what he needs to be doing.

“It all depends on the people around him and how they’ll invest his huge winnings. 

“I hope the PDC are helping Luke and giving him the right advice too.

“Littler is getting some good advice.

“If he’s trying to play mind games with the media then he really is mature beyond his years. It’s not something a normal 17-year-old would come up with is it?

“I expect Littler to play darts until his early forties.

“It all depends on how much money he makes and how motivated he is.

“If he starts winning World Championships and breaking records then that’ll be another motivation for him.

“I can definitely see him playing for 15 or 20 years.

“We don’t know what’s between his ears. He’s got a lot more between them than I did when I was 17, I can tell you that.”