Luke Littler returns to the PDC World Darts Championship looking to go one better than his memorable debut tournament last year and become the event’s youngest ever champion.
Darts hero Bobby George has some advice for Luke Littler ahead of the teenager’s return to Alexandra Palace for the PDC World Darts Championship. Last year’s runner-up will want to go one better than that debut appearance at the sport’s showcase tournament.
‘The Nuke’ lost the final against world No.1 Luke Humphries. However, the 17-year-old has since hoovered up some eye-catching winnings in excess of £1million.
There’s now the prospect of boosting that total even further at the World Championships. However, George, who twice lost finals at the BDO World Championship in the ’80s and ’90s, has urged Littler to stay grounded after a life-changing 12 months.
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“A young man like that, earning that money… I’m sure he wants to spend it on the things that we all did,” George told The Mirror, speaking on behalf of 10bet. “Nice car, nice clothes…
“Sometimes it can be difficult when all of those things come at once.”
George added: “The reality is that it’s hard for people to expect someone like Luke to behave in exactly the same way he did before Ally Pally last year because he turned into a superstar at that tournament. His life changed and he probably couldn’t do all the normal things he used to do.
“Money and fame can be awkward for some people. People can change.
“My advice to him would be to simply keep his feet on the ground and do exactly what he’s done all year – play darts and don’t get involved in people saying; ‘Sign this contract and do this,’ because there’s a lot of sharks out there. Just keep your feet on the ground, don’t grow up too quickly.
“You can go from a hero to zero overnight in darts.
“If he keeps his head down, has the right people around him and stays dedicated to the game, then he’s going to make a lot more money in his career, that boy.” George also admits Littler has what it takes to become the sport’s youngest-ever world champion.
“He seems more relaxed now,” George continued. “I’ve noticed that when he’s playing, he’s smiling a bit more and having a bit of banter.
“I think he can actually go all the way, but it’s difficult. When you get to a final, the following year is tougher to get to that final and the pressure is on – not to mention the media attention. You can have all the ability you want, but you still need that bit of luck in the game. The first and second rounds are dodgy.
“That’s the thing; that’s when [even] great players can come unstuck. They’re so used to playing long matches that they can get out of trouble but, when it’s shorter, the format becomes difficult.
“He’s got to try and relax. Where he’s got to in such a short time, it’s really amazing. Of course, he can do it, he’s got the gift to win it.”
