Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall – World Darts Championship: Live score and leg-by-leg updates as the Nuke sets his sights on first world title plus Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting

Nathan Aspoinall, speaking to Sky Sports:

All I can do is beat what is in front of me. No one has thrown anything back. I am playing nowhere near my best.

If someone steps up, I know I will. Not many fans will have a favourite so I think it will be 50/50 split.

I have played Luke many times. I am looking at this game tinight to make a name of myself. If I come out on top, people will stop talking about Luke and they will start talking about me.

Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports:

I feel good coming into it but we come in hours early to get our practice in. The record speaks for itself but it is the quarter finals of the World Championship and whoever turns up will be the winner.

People are probably expecting too much but I want to win every game. If I can hold my own legs tonight I will come out as the winner.

From unknown, to darts star, to household name.

It’s been quite the year for Luke Littler. Still only 17, he is the most famous sportsperson in the country, and pressure is on his shoulders tonight.

But away from the glitz, the glmour, the fame, he has some darts to throw.

And the walk ons are just moments away.

Bunting is almost brought to tears as he speaks about the work he has put in and thanks his family.

One of the sport’s good guys.

But who will he face in the last four? We are about to find it.

Stephen Bunting, speaking to Sky Sports:

In the back room, I felt really nervous and on edge. He is my son’s faviourite player.

I knew I was in contorl of the game but I just thought not to let myself down. The crowd, unbelievable again! Let’s go Bunting mental!

The pair share a joke on stage after Bunting goes into the semi finals.

95.55 average to Wright’s 92.41. 43 per cent on the doubles.

He’s up to fifth in the world and pockets at least 100 grand.

Wright needs to dig as deep as he ever has.

96 for Bunting to start. 97 for Wright.

Bunting goes trebleless. That’s happened a few too many times more than he would have liked.

100. He’s stumbling over the finishing line.

A big last dart leaves him 145. Wright goes trebleless – big opportunity. He’s on 150.

Bunting may now get six at 145. He’ll need it. Tops to win if he’s back.

First dart in for Wright. The second is not.

Here we go. Three match darts – the first two are wild. The third is low. Oh my.

Wright then misses two at tops himself!

Bunting has somewhat nicked the darts on Wright’s throw.

He leaves 131 with Wright on 244. Big visit – only 60. Six darts for Bunting.

Bull then tops! What a break. One away.

In other news, while waiting for Luke Littler, I’ve just been having a play on the dartboard set up for the press. Best score I could manage was 140. That third treble forever eludes me.

It only serves to make me admire these professionals all the more, as they bang out maximums for fun. We’ve had more than 800 at this year’s tournament.

Are we seeing a comeback of all comebacks here?

The crowd are in full voice as Wright roars after winning the set.

A decent 140 puts Bunting in good stead to hold. Wright needs to break this set.

113 left by the Bullet. He’s short on the D18 and Wright needs 104.

Big 18 means he needs T18. But he can’t get it in.

Bunting needs D4 and picks it up. A bit of a cheer as he tells himself to calm down.

Bunting is getting sloppy now. His averge has dropped to 96.

A nice 140 though will help. Though even if he holds here, he will need to break Wright in the next leg.

A 180 for Wright shows how good this recover has been.

Bunting sets up tops for the 133 must go for Wright.

OH!!! Double double on the 19s and it goes! That’s the set!

100 and 100 for Bunting and Wright follows that up with one of his own so we’re well set in this leg.

Wright leaves 157 so Bunting can pressure. But it’s only 45 for him! A fair few wasted opportunities.

40 left for Bu ting as he tries to take out 160 but Wright only needs one at tops.

Not great from Bunting and Wright is there with 97 and then 140.

Better though from the bullet with 140 of his own.

He leaves 70 and should hold comfortably. Oh! Tops but it’s low.

32 for Wright. And he breaks back. Here we go…

Wright has the darts in this set too. We’re just getting back underway.

Nothing special from Bunting but Wright’s darts are low. A slight chance.

140 leaves 144 but Bunting will fancy six darts at 216. 140 he gets.

Wright leaves 16 so this has to go. It doesn’ as Bunting misses D12.

Wright misses all three at his double!

Bunting mops up with D6. An immediate break.

The greatest comeback since New Year’s Day 2024 – when Rob Cross came back from 4-0 down to win 5-4 versus Chris Dobey – starts here, I suppose!

Bunting is probably not too used to having the crowd against him, but they are now singing Wright’s name and he pins a 180!

Bunting, however, should hold from here. He leaves 105. Saying that, Wright is there, and Bunting is sloppy.

D16 goes in for another break and Wright is on the board!

The fans are now singing Peter Wright’s name. Doesn’t matter for Bunting, who sticks in a 180.

Wright responds well with 140. And Bunting then goes just 60.

161 for Wright. A little bit too much, and Bunting needs to take out 121.

He doesn’t find the treble so Wright can take out 64 here. And he does.

Sky have just shown someone trying to carry five jugs of beer and dropping three of them. Funny.

Anyway, back to it. Bunting has the darts. Wright looked to have nicked them but he is sloppy again.

Wright can set up here from 177. and does so to leave tops!

Bunting needs 102. He has a dart – but misses D16! Chance for Wright.

Misses the 20 – but takes the D10!

We speak about the issues of Wright, but Bunting is flying.

Two in the ones, though, but a treble gives him 81. And Wright can only manage 60.

95 for Bunting to go 4-0 up. He sets up the D20 and Wright needs the big fish.

The first is in but the second isn’t. Bunting misses tops – and D10 – but gets D5! 4-0.

Wright is all over the place, to be honest. It’s just sloppy.

Bunting leaves 86 and Wright could put pressure on here. He leaves 107, so Bunting can try and take out 86. And he pins D16 to do just that.

As you can imagine, Ally Pally is going Bunting mental. If my prediction of 5-3 to Wright is going to come true, we’ll need to see one hell of a comeback.

No break after that set so we’re straight into the fourth.

Bunting is matching the Scot so far. All about the set ups now.

99 for Wright leaves 170. 133 for Bunting leaves 132.

There’s one – but there’s a deflection on the second, so Bunting will hve the chance.

72 for Wright. Can be awkward. It really is, it’s wild. 24.

D16 for Bunting and he breaks first up.

Bunting has the darts. 100 to start.

No treble in his second visit. But Wright does the same.

Bunting does it again! He’s wasting an opportunity here.

100 for Wright. Not massively punished.

140 for Bunting but Wright can set it up well here. No. 100 only.

146 for Bunting. T19 in. And the second. But misses the D16.

Wright’s 144 will have to go. And it’s not.

Three for Bunting to go 3-0 up. He only needs one!

Wright well in control of this leg but it’s on his darts. He will need to break.

Sloppy trying to set up. Bunting will have a go at 126 as Wright leaves 79.

For the set… no. One dart at double for Wright – and he pins tops to take us to a decider.

The fans are singing Bunting’s name once again. Though his general scoring has become sloppy and Wright has gone 140, 140.

Can he set up from 221? He leaves 105, Bunting trying to set up from 213.

He leaves 74 so Wright may need to take this out. Gets the treble so D18 – too high.

One dart at tops, and it’s in!

No trebles in his first six darts for Wright. Bunting chipping away without getting any daylight…

A 140 makes the scoreboard look a lot nicer for the Scot.

Wright is left with 147 so Bunting could set up. But it’s poor, it really is.

Six for Wright, then. He takes none. But Bunting is a way away – DOES THAT MATTER? NO! 143 TO BREAK BACK!

Bunting is bang up for this. And he has the darts again.

Wright though picks up his first maximum to pressure his opponent!

Boos as the fifth dart goes astray to kill any hope of a nine.

At 221 he could set up well here… 96 leaves 125 and pressure on Bunting to set up himself.

130 is OK. Wright makes a mess of his attempt and Bunting is awkwardly left on D3. He misses.

70 for Wright to break. Tops – it’s low.

Oh no – Bunting goes for D3 and drops is second inside. Wright picks up D10 to break!

To throw for the second set. Bunting is averaging 102 and has 100 per cent on the doubles!

Wright is with him in this leg. But Bunting pins three T18s!

He’ll get at least six darts at 146.

48 to mop up… but he mises two darts to win the set!

Wright gets nowhere near the 155 and Bunting finally pins D4 to wrap up the set.

Important leg for Wright this, now. He’ll be helped by a trebleless visit first up from Bunting.

But the Bullet comes back to keep up. He may have to take out 130.

60. Oh, wrong side. But the bull… and he delivers! Bunting breaks!

A few mumurs of ‘Peter Peter Wright’ from some sections of the crowds now.

Bunting has been broken just four times so far this competition. That’s impressive.

Not great from Wright in this leg and it should be a comfortable hold for Bunting, despite him not being at his best.

101 to go… and it does.

First set Bunting, then, but it is only on hold.

105 average for the Bullet in the first and three from three on the doubles. Can he keep that up?

Sloppy from Snakebite on his second visit as he drifts into the 1 for 41. Bunting then puts the pressure on with a 140. And a trebleless visit leaves the leader with the darts.

He leaves 103 in the hunt for a break. It may have to go with Wright on 81… it doesn’t.

Big dart as Wright gets one at D13. And he gets it. Big.

No treble in the first visit for Wright so a chance here. A good start with 140. Better from Wright though with one of his own.

More big trebles for the Bullet, though, and he can set up here after stealing the darts.

Just 60 but should get another chance…

Wright still not on a finish. Bunting leaves 28 for the set.

D14 and that’s the first set!

Bunting pins the first 180 of the match to kick off the third leg! And follows it up with 42. Ha.

Wright stays with him with 140 and 100. But Bunting leaves 139 with a 140 of his own.

That doesn’t go and Wright can’t get near the 156 so Bunting gets three to check out 52. He only needs two and he’s one leg away.

Bunting is the man on the mouths of the crowd right now. But Wright is ahead in the leg.

A nice 140 leaves 130 and Bunting is down in 205.

Wright can go with the ball but decides against it with his opponent not on a finish.

He mops up with D16 at the second attempt.

No pantomime villains in this one, the Ally Pally crowd love Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting in equal measure.

My pre-match prediction was 5-3 to Wright, but this could go either way.

Bunting has the darts and will gte us underway. He of course stands very far to the right of the oche.

A steady start from both men. Just two big trebles in the first nine for Bunting so eight is in it. He recovers, well, though with a 140.

He leaves 111 and Wright 117. Bunting can’t take it out – nor can Wright.

Butning pins D16 to take the first leg.

Here we go! We are about to get underway.

Wright is first out. A few boos. A very, very colourful shirt and trousers with a dark blue mohawk.

And there’s the shuffle across the stage.

Bunting is out next. THEY SHOOT ME DOWN, BUT I WON’T FALL!

He has the crowd in the palm of his hand. What an atmosphere.

Stephen Bunting, speaking to Sky Sports:

In the few hours leading up to the game the byutterflies are flowing, but as soon as I get on stage and the fans are behind me and I take to it like a duck to water and they can get me through every game.

I have had a very successful year. I am in the top eight now, long may that continue, I just need to keep my feet on the floor and doing what I’m doing.

Peter has a cough. I try to ignore him. It is all about me, what I do, how I prepare, and that doesn’t start from here.

I think Peter can get better on the scoring but the doubling would be flukish to be the same. I think he has the ability though, when you are pushed in a match, that is when he will get the most out of himself.

It will force him to focus. I expect him to play decently. I don’t know how much traction he will get set-wise.

Anyway, before we get to Littler, we have Wright vs Bunting and it should be a cracker.

The walkouts will be very soon. Will we get Wright’s shuffle across the stage this time? What on earth will he be wearing?

I’m waiting for Titanium, personally. I’m bullet proof…

Littler has been active on social media during this tournament and took to X to explain how he had to ‘dig deep’ against Joyce.

He let out a roar of emotion when hitting his final checkout. Littler is generally a quiet character, but, the more he is pushed, the more we see that emotion come out.

We may see it again tonight.

Mark Webster, Sky Sports:

They have all had to work really hard. Aspinall has had an easier route but Littler has been challenged. They have all played their part and this is the stellar test. Win tonight, win tomorrow, then win Friday.

Peter Wright, speaking to the PDC:

I know I can beat the likes of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, but I’ve also said that those guys inspire me to carry on playing darts, and they do.

I’m not ready to go to the senior side yet because I know that I can still play this game. It didn’t feel like I played my game against Luke, but I know I can get better.

Fans are arriving in their droves ahead of tonight and, as per, almost all of them are in fancy dress. I went early on in the tournament in normal clothes and genuinely felt out of place.

The atmosphere, as it was this afternoon, will be electric, with the session sold out for what is widely-regarded as the most exciting day in the darts calendar.

Humprhies is, of course, out. Spoiling the party, somewhat, with it expected that he would face Littler in tomorrow’s semis. That now won’t be the case.

Cool Hand has, however, given his verdict on who he wants to win the Worlds now he can’t. Spoiler: it’s not Littler.

Click below or here to find out who he’s backing.

It’s been quite the journey already for Littler, who was of course the runner-up last year on debut.

He had to wait a fair amount of time for his first game, but averaged over 100 to beat Ryan Meikle in his first match, which he criticised. He then burst into tears after.After that, veteran Ian White tested him, missing set darts that he lost, but Littler prevailed.

That was before one of the games of the tournament so far, when he beat Ryan Joyce 4-3 two days ago.Joyce, as he often does, put on a finishing clinic, penning 48.15 per cent of his checkouts to push the teenager all the way, but the Nuke averaged over 103 to hold his nerve and survive.

Tonight should be an cracker against one of his closest friends in the game.

We’ll look at Aspinall next, the man with the best walkout in the sport.

He was the somewhat villain of the piece when he knocked out Leonard Gates in round two, before thrashing what was, in all honesty, a poor Andrew Gilding in round three.

It was then an even worse Ricardo Pietreczko in round four, who the Asp described as an ‘odd’ character before the bout. The German didn’t lay a glove on him – averaging a measly 78.46. 4-0.Yet to be tested? Or going about his work?

We will see tonight, because you can bet he will be tested against Luke Littler.

The Liverpudlian, after receiving a bye as a seed in the first round, would take on Germany’s Kai Gotthardt in round two. He wasn’t at his best, but didn’t need to be, as he emerged the 3-1 victor.

It was world No 44 Madars Razma in the next round, and we did then see the best of Bunting, who averaged over 100 to hardly give the Latvian a sniff.

And last time out, he shone on the doubles, pinning more than 40 per cent as he decimated fellow Brit Luke Woodhouse, who had looked good up until that point.

A win here could set up a last-four clash with Luke Littler – and would almost certainly secure his spot in the Premier League.

Let’s have a look at how the two from tonight’s first game got to the last eight, then.

Peter Wright has been in awful form this year. But the two-time champ has, somehow, found his best again when almost everyone had written him off.

He got the better of Wesley Plaisier in round two, entering as the 17th seed. After that, he faced the tough task of Jermaine Wattimena, who had been backed by many to be the surprise package. But, averaging 96, he breezed past the Dutchman and set up a last-16 tie with defending champion Luke Humphries.

Surely that would be a step too far? Oh no. Averaging nearly 101, he blitzed Humphries 4-1, despite the Englishman averaging over 99 himself and putting in a performance that probably would have beaten 99 per cent of players.

Now it’s Bunting. You’d be brave to bet against him emerging victorious again – especially if he plays the way he did the other night.

What a couple of crackers we had earlier today. First, Chris Dobey booked his place in the last four for the first time after overcoming former champion Gerwyn Price, whose finishing was all over the place. He beat himself more than anything else.

Then, Callan Rydz pushed three-time champion Michael van Gerwen all the way, but the Green Machine did what we does best and came out the winner by five sets to three. Silly darts.

Can this evening live up to it? There’s no reason to believe not.

We have Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting up first, followed by Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall.

He is indeed. Welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the second set of quarter-finals from Ally Pally tonight – we have two games for you.

One of them will, indeed, be Luke Littler. The tournament favourite will take on Nathan Aspinall in the last eight after just about overcoming Ryan Joyce on Monday, with the Asp quietly going about his business too.

First up, though, it’s Peter Wright, who put out defending champion Luke Humphries last time out, versus the people’s champion Stephen Bunting.