The girlfriend of teenage darts prodigy Luke Littler on Tuesday said “the dream carries on” as the 16-year-old prepared to battle for a place in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Littler, who first played on a magnetic board as a toddler, will take on 2018 champion Rob Cross in the semi-finals tonight at Alexandra Palace.
The history-making youngster, nicknamed “Luke the Nuke” has already guaranteed himself a £100,000 pay day but could collect £500,000 should he go on to win the tournament.
His girlfriend, Eloise Milburn, was seen embracing him on stage after his victory in the quarter-finals on Monday. The 21-year-old beauty consultant from Surrey, an amateur darts player herself, wrote on social media: “The dream carries on. Incredibly proud of you!”
Meanwhile, Littler’s grandmother has asked for the day off work if he makes it to the final, which is due to be held on Wednesday night.
Carol Littler said she and her husband Phil would travel to London from their home in Runcorn, Cheshire, if she is allowed to take time off from her job at the local town hall.
The 64-year-old told the Daily Telegraph: “He started playing darts when he was two and you could see it [the talent]. He was born to play darts. He gets it from his grandfather. He is so laid back that he just doesn’t worry. He has nothing to worry about. He is 16.”
Littler, from Warrington, has been watched throughout the tournament by his mother Lisa, 40, and father Anthony, 43.
The teenager paid tribute to them following his victory in the quarter-finals, saying: “My mum and dad have supported me, told me to get on the board in lockdown. Just a massive help — them two are the main people.” His sister Caitlin Littler wrote: “The dream continues. Unbelievably proud of you.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday night's match, Littler said: “It’s going to take a lot to stop me. It feels unbelievable. I never thought I would have got to the semis in my debut year. It’s crazy watching myself at 18 months or two years old in a nappy, but it has all paid off.
"One day we went to a shop with my parents and I pointed to a magnetic dartboard because they look similar. The rest is history.” Littler’s rise has been meteoric. During his first-round victory, when he became the youngest player to win a match at the tournament, fans sang: “You’ve got school in the morning”
MPs have urged the broadcaster Sky to show the final — should Littler reach it — on a free-to-air channel to allow a greater audience to witness it. The Manchester United supporter’s new-found fame earned him invitations to watch Arsenal last Thursday and the Tottenham game on Sunday.
