Luke Littler confirmed that he will take a break from darts after becoming world champion at Alexandra Palace.
The 17-year-old defeated Michael van Gerwen in a historic final, but won’t return to the oche even to practice before he travels to Bahrain later this month.
“I’ll be honest, the World Series of Darts starts in Bahrain in a week or two weeks’ time and I won’t be practising until I go to Bahrain,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Littler’s schedule has been jam-packed every since he burst onto the scene just over 12 months ago at Alexandra Palace, capturing the nation’s hearts but he is ready for a well-deserved rest before the action gets underway again.
Shortly after lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy, Littler claimed that as he had already won “the big one” in 2025 he would be happy even if he did not win another title in the calendar year.
And when probed by the panel if he truly meant those comments, the teenager replied: “Yeah, I hope it is another big year of titles, hopefully more nine-darters come, but I do mean it. If I don’t win anything then I have still picked up the big one to begin with.”
Order your souvenir 48-page publication celebrating Luke Littler’s historic World Championship win now. Buy now on our online shop!
And the sheer size of his latest silverware will force Littler to upgrade his furniture to install a new trophy cabinet. “I think we might have to get a special cabinet for it [the World Championship],” he added. “If not it will just go on the floor in the living room.
“They [Littler’s family] have put the hard work and effort into me, but just to get them to come on stage with me and the trophy, but it’s my brother’s 21st birthday today as well so that was a good birthday present for him.
“Then obviously my sister was in the crowd but she didn’t want to come on stage last night, but just to have all my family, friends from all over, they have travelled for pretty much every game.
“It’s probably not a normal 17-year-old’s life but it just goes to show what I have done for myself, going back to my mum and dad putting effort in, got the right sponsors for me, and the sponsors do a whole lot for me.”
Those itching for another glimpse of Littler at the oche, however, will be forced to wait until January 16/17 when he is due to compete at the Bahrain International Circuit in a 16-player field.
Littler hit a spectacular nine-darter at the event a year ago en route to winning the event with an 8-5 victory over Van Gerwen in the final.
