Luke Littler’s brother cheered on the teenage darts sensation during his famous semi-final victory over Rob Cross from a Warrington pub.
Littler, 16, has enjoyed a fairytale ride during the tournament, with the newly-dubbed ‘Prince of the Palace’ continuing to shock the darting world to reach the final.
After entering the World Championship as a 66-1 outsider, he is now the favourite to win the whole thing after thrashing 2018 winner Rob Cross 6-2 in the semi-finals.
And on Tuesday, while most of his family were cheering him on at Ally Pally, Littler’s older brother Leon, 20, was watching him in action from The Millhouse Pub in Warrington.
It comes after Leon also watched his brother thrash Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day from the same spot.
Luke Littler’s older brother Leon, 20 (right), has been watching the teenage darts sensation from a Warrington pub (also pictured Littler’s sister Caitlin, 21)
Littler has endured a fairytale run at the PDC World Darts Championship, reaching the final
His family (pictured – dad Anthony and mum Lisa) have been cheering him on in every round from Ally Pally, but Leon has not yet made the trip down to London
On that occasion he was with his girlfriend, Katie Williams, 21 and their 12-week-old baby George, who Littler has already bought a dartboard and new pram for.
And Leon revealed that although he hasn’t had a chance to watch his brother at Ally Pally, he plans to in the near future, while explaining how Littler and his infant nephew already have an instant connection.
‘We’ve already got George a pair of ear defenders and hope to take him to watch Luke very soon,’ he told The Sun. ‘We’re sure that George knows when Luke is on the TV as he smiles and gurgles in front of the screen!’
Littler’s sensational exploits have already seen him earn at least £200,000 and a global following, but Leon – who revealed mum Lisa gets ‘extremely anxious’ when watching her son – insisted he is sure the 16-year-old wouldn’t let his success go to his head.
He added: ‘Nothing’s changed for Luke and I know nothing ever will. He’s very down to earth, and keeps his feet on the ground. He’s still the caring and devoted brother who grew up with me.’
Videos of Littler playing darts in his nappies and copying celebrations of the likes of Raymond van Barneveld have gone viral since the tournament began, with the teen sensation getting his first proper dartboard at the age of four.
And Leon also explained how the sport has always been Littler’s first love and said the support of his dad Anthony, a taxi driver, and mum Lisa, who works in a scented candle shops, was key.
He continued: ‘He’d play darts whenever he could — sometimes just stopping for a meal before starting again. If Mum and Dad tried to take the darts away from him there’d be a real scene with him crying loudly.
‘My dad was a very keen player and, as soon as he realised Luke had a talent, he wanted to nurture this. Dad always pushed Luke towards darts and thought this was a great interest for him to continue rather than spending all his time on an Xbox.’
Littler – who also has a 21-year-old sister Caitlin – is now preparing to take on Luke Humphries, who was the pre-tournament favourite, in Wednesday evening’s final.
Littler celebrates his victory with his mother Lisa after thrashing Rob Cross 6-2 on Tuesday
Littler revealed he will treat his parents should he scoop the £500,000 top prize at Ally Pally
Speaking after his victory over Cross, he revealed he planned to treat his parents to something special if he did lift the Sid Waddell trophy.
‘Nothing yet, I still have got another game,’ Littler joked, when asked how much he owed his parents for his success.
‘Obviously, they know I like what they have done for me.
‘They have brought me to this table, brought me to this darting scene.
‘I can’t thank them enough. If I do get over the line, I will give them something.’
