Luke Littler revealed he received text messages from David Beckham and Luke Shaw ahead of his World Darts Championship final against Luke Humphries on Wednesday night.
The 16-year-old shot to stardom with a fairytale run at Alexandra Palace over the last three weeks, before falling to the world No1 7-4 in the final.
Littler led 4-2 and had one dart to go three sets clear, before Humphries rallied back to rattle five sets in a row to clinch his maiden World Darts Championship.
The Warrington born teenager’s meteoric rise saw him run shoulders with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale and attend Tottenham’s home win against Bournemouth at the weekend.
But as a Manchester United fan, Littler admitted he could hardly believe Beckham and Shaw got in touch with him ahead of the final, while United youngster Kobbie Mainoo and former United player Jesse Lingard followed him on social media.
Luke Littler revealed he received messages from David Beckham and Luke Shaw
The former Manchester United number 7 wished Littler good luck ahead of the PDC World Championship final against Luke Humphries on Wednesday
Shaw also wished Littler, who is a Manchester United fan, good luck ahead of the final
‘David Beckham saying good luck,’ he told Sky News’ Mark Austin when asked what was the best message he’d received during the tournament.
‘Luke Shaw messaged me saying good luck. Got a follow [on social media] from the youngster Kobbie Mainoo and obviously former player Jesse Lingard.
‘It’s crazy to think about them watching me when I’ve been watching them follow and I think many years where I’ve got two more.’
Littler entered the World Championship as a 66-1 outsider, but went into Wednesday’s final as the favourite after thrashing 2018 winner Rob Cross 6-2 in the semi-finals.
His performances at the Ally Pally have catapulted him on the back pages of national newspapers and on morning TV shows across Britain.
While at the oche the teenager has shown a composure that belies his tender age, he admitted he and his family are still struggling to adjust to his new-found fame.
Beckham’s son Romeo (right) was in attendance at Alexandra Palace for the final
Littler lost 7-4 at Alexandra Palace against Luke Humphries after leading 4-2
The teenager was the youngest player to ever reach a PDC World Championship final
‘It’s just been a roller coaster,’ he said.
‘I just wanted to win one game. From winning one game to coming back after Christmas. And getting to the final. They just can’t believe it. Especially all the followers I’ve been getting on social media.’
Littler’s family and his manager have been ever-present at Alexandra Palace throughout his exhilarating run and the teenager paid tribute to them.
‘My dad’s taking me everywhere driving me up and down the country, even abroad.
‘And then my mum just she’s just there. She just cheers me up. So does my dad. […] My manager is always there for me. So just I’ve got a good group of people around me.’
Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn, 21, also attended every match and earlier on Thursday, the 16-year-old told Sky News he will stick by her ‘whether anyone likes it or not’.
Less than 24 hours after his defeat against Humphries, Littler was confirmed in the Premier League Darts line-up.
Littler thanked his family and his girlfriend Eloise Milburn for their continued support
There was huge speculation over whether the teenager would be included in the 2024 event after his incredible run at the PDC World Championship and even after Humphries backed him to be included in the tournament.
The Premier League Darts gets underway in Cardiff on February 1, with the winner set to take home £275,000 of the £1million prize pot.
Speaking of his decision to take part in the Premier League, Littler, who has broken into the world’s top 32 after his run at the Ally Pally, said:
‘I sat down with my manager and my mum and dad said: “Let’s just do it as that may never happen again.”‘
World No 1 Luke Humphries backed Littler to be included in the Premier League after the final
After triumphing on Wednesday night Humphries said he would love to come up against the teenager once more.
‘I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke [Littler] has been an unbelievable talent,’ he said, speaking to Sky Sports.
‘Not just about the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him who is just something else.
‘I really hope he’s in the Premier League because, if he don’t want to play in it fair enough, but I think he’d be a pleasure to play alongside this year. He’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.’
