Premier League darts announcement LIVE: Luke Littler CONFIRMED to play, FULL line-up revealed, dates unveiled
THE PREMIER LEAGUE Darts line-up has been announced this afternoon!
Luke Littler WILL be featuring in the lucrative eight-man tournament after his heroics at the World Darts Championship.
While World No1 Luke Humphries is also gunning for the prize for the event which kicks off on February 1.
Follow ALL the updates from the announcement with our live blog below...
Darts final breaks viewer record
The World Darts Championship final between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler was the most watched non-football event in Sky Sports history with an audience of 3.75 MILLION.
Littler, making his debut at the world championships, peaked a swarm of new fans' interest in the competition.
He made history on the oche by beating 2018 champion Rob Cross to become the youngest ever player to reach the final.
And more history was made on the screen as the semi-final clash broke the record for Sky Sports' most-watched darts match with 2.3m viewers.
But 24 hours later, Littler's defeat to Humphries saw the record broken again by more than one million.
Littler blushes on girlfriend question
Luke Littler blushed live on TV after being asked about his girlfriend Eloise Milburn.
Presenters Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid quizzed him about his girlfriend.
They said: "Your other half plays darts as well, that must help."
A sheepish Littler replied: "Yeah, hopefully I can practice with her and try and get her to where I am."
It led to Reid letting out a big "awww, brilliant" and it left the darts star blushing and looking a tad embarrassed.
Darts legend offers Littler advice
Darts legend Bobby George has issued a warning to teen sensation Luke Littler: “No girlfriends!”
George urged the ace to look after any money he makes from the sport.
And in a message which is sure to delight Eloise, he also told Littler to remain focused on his career by avoiding having any girlfriends.
George told GMB: “Do what he’s always done, practice a lot, don’t have any sharks signing contracts with you, that’s the main thing.
“He’s going to go around the world now, he’s going to go to all the tournaments. He’s got a lot of travelling, it’s a different game, that’s the hardest thing.
“Get a plane, be there early, then you’ve got to play darts. He’s got to learn that. It might put him off a bit for a while.
“But he’s got the stepping stone there, he’s going to be at all the PDC tournaments. If he plays well, he’s going to earn a few quid.
“What a great thing for a bloke of that age. If he looks after it, that’s the thing. No flash cars, no girlfriends, he’s got to be regimental.”
Humphries to donate money to charity
Luke Humphries revealed he will donate a chunk of his £500,000 prize money to Prostate Cancer UK.
He has a close affiliation to the charity after his father-in-law battled the disease.
Humphries said: "It has got a special place to go to. My father-in-law who's battled the prostate cancer thing. Obviously I've said in another interview that he went and got checked out and he's found it early.
"So, this was a close thing to my heart, and I'm dedicating this one to him."
Luke Littler shocks GMB hosts
Luke Littler stunned Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard by revealing just how little he practises playing darts.
Littler told the duo on Thursday: "Believe it or not, [I only practise] half an hour [to] 45 minutes."
Shephard was left stunned, asking: "An hour [to] 45 minutes?"
Littler replied: "I just practise on my own, it gets boring."
As with many youngsters his age, Littler often finds himself distracted by video games.
He admitted: "I'm just bored and my Xbox is next to me. There is a board there, so I just go on my Xbox."
Humphries' girlfriend breaks down in tears
Luke Humphries' girlfriend broke down in tears following his World Darts Championship triumph.
Girlfriend Kayley Jones was seen nervously clutching her face before Humphries' winning double eight secured him the title.
After hitting the decisive shot, Kayley screamed in celebration before covering her face as she broke down in tears.
Humphries and Kayley have one child together, Rowan Ellis, born on October 9, 2022.
The darts star also has a step-daughter with his girlfriend - Grace, who was born in 2013.
Littler's sister shares the love
Luke Littler's sister has posted an emotional message after the 16-year-old’s darts final heartbreak.
Caitlin shared an emotional message on social media.
She wrote: “So unbelievably proud of what you have achieved, absolutely unreal.
“You went into this only wanting to win one game to then make it to the finals on your debut at 16 is the biggest achievement!
“We all love you so much, now time to chill and enjoy yourself.”
Littler tipped for the big time
Luke Humphries predicted that Luke Littler will “dominate darts” just moments after becoming World Champion.
“He’s an incredible talent and I had to win this tonight. He’s going to win plenty, I’m sure.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that.”
As for Humphries own ambitions following another major title, he added: “I don’t want to say I’ve completed darts but I’ve done everything that was on the resume.
“Now it’s about motivating yourself to do more: I want to be a double world champion and win loads of majors.”
Littler's girlfriend shares supportive message
Luke Littler's girlfriend wrote a wholesome message after his defeat in the World Championship final to Luke Humphries.
His girlfriend Eloise Milburn was again in the crowd alongside his mum Lisa and dad Anthony.
During his walk-on ahead of the final, Littler embraced the 21-year-old beauty consultant as they shared a hug.
After defeat, he reflected on his incredible run to the final, saying on social media: "Unbelievable for myself, runner-up in my debut year, I can't believe it."
Eloise commented on the post, writing: "Forever proud of you! Always a winner in my eyes."
Piers Morgan praises The Nuke
Piers Morgan told Luke Littler he'd "made it" after the presenter's mum sent him a message about the darts star.
Sun columnist Piers had some kind words for the teenager in the wake of his loss at Alexandra Palace.
He shared a WhatsApp screenshot of a message from his mum which read: "I cannot believe I am watching the DARTS."
To which Morgan added: "🤣🤣🤣 Congrats @lukethenukelittler - you've made it."
Littler shared the post on his Instagram story just hours after he came up short in the final.
From little to large
Teen sensation Luke Littler could be on course to become the first £40million darts player despite last night’s world final loss.
Experts predict the 16-year-old tungsten prodigy will enjoy a whirlwind of brand deals after winning a legion of new fans in a matter of days.
Littler has still bagged £200,000 in prize money and could now easily command six-figure fees for new sponsors, says Neil Hopkins, strategy partner at MC Saatchi.
However, brands typically linked to darts — betting and beer — will be off limits until Luke “The Nuke” turns 18 next January.
The kebab-loving star has the potential to command at least £500,000 a year via ad deals, on top of mega earnings.
Sports marketing communications consultant Daniel Tunna estimates that by 2044 — when Luke is 36 — the star could have made up to £40million, factoring in inflation.
Littler reacts to agonising end to World Darts Championship fairytale
The Nuke's classy response to his agonising World Championship final defeat against Luke Humphries has been hailed by fans.
And darts lovers reckon Littler's 7-4 loss against the world No1 is just the start of a thrilling long-running rivalry between the two Englishmen.
Luke the Nuke, 16, led 4-2 at the Ally Pally and missed big opportunities - but put aside his frustration to clap and hug Humphries.
The Warrington whizkid then appeared to gently guide his conqueror back to centre stage rather than stay in the spotlight himself.
Littler responded calmly afterwards, saying: “I have gained a lot of experience.
"A lot of people know me now, they look up to me, I am happy. I am happy with getting to the final. It has been a rollercoaster.”
Credit: PA Humphries sends classy message to Littler
After beating the teenage darts sensation, Humphries paid tribute to his final opponent, he said: “I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone.
Luke has been an unbelievable talent – not just around the dart board. He has been fantastic with the media that has come about with him.
“He took defeat so well just then. He said ‘Go and celebrate’. You will never see a more down-to-earth 16-year-old like him.
"He’s just something else. I really hope he’s in the Premier League. If he doesn’t want to play in it, then fair enough, but I think it would be a pleasure to play alongside him this year because he’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”
Luke Humphires' partner reacts to World Darts Championship win
Humphires' girlfriend was left in tears after his PDC World Darts Championship triumph.
The new world number one roared back from 4-2 down to beat Luke Littler 7-4 at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.
He checked out 16 to clinch the 11th set and the match after his dramatic comeback.
Humphries immediately sunk to his knees on stage before the cameras panned to the crowd.
His friends and family could be seen celebrating, with his girlfriend Kayley Jones sitting down as her emotions got the better of her.
She put her hands to her face and looked to be in tears with another member of Humphries' entourage checking she was okay.
Credit: SKYSPORTSDARTS Who won the World Darts Championship trophy for most 180s?
The race for the Ballon d'Art was neck and neck ahead of the World Darts Championship final.
But tournament winner Luke Humphries sealed the prize after hitting a whopping 23 180s in the final.
- Luke Humphries - 73 (180s)
- Luke Littler - 63 (180s)
- Chris Dobey - 43 (180s)
- Scott Williams - 43 (180s)
- Rob Cross - 36 (180s)
- Michael van Gerwen - 30 (180s)
- Dave Chisnall - 29 (180s)
- Damon Heta - 27 (180s)
- Joe Cullen - 25 (180s)
- Ross Smith - 20 (180s)
Littler's classy response after heartbreaking final defeat
The Nuke's classy response to his agonising World Championship final defeat against Luke Humphries has been hailed by fans.
And darts lovers reckon Littler's 7-4 loss against the world No1 is just the start of a thrilling long-running rivalry between the two Englishmen.
Luke the Nuke, 16, led 4-2 at the Ally Pally and missed big opportunities - but put aside his frustration to clap and hug Humphries.
The Warrington whizkid then appeared to gently guide his conqueror back to centre stage rather than stay in the spotlight himself.
'Absolutely unreal'
Luke Littler's sister Caitlin has praised her brother for his achievements at the tournament.
On Instagram, she wrote: "So unbelievably proud of what you have achieved, absolutely unreal.
"You went into this only wanting to win 1 game…to then make it to the finals on your debut at 16 is the biggest achievement!
"We all love (you) so much, now time to chill and enjoy yourself."
My siblings certainly wouldn't have been that nice.
The PM
The Prime Minister has sent his congratulations to tonight's winner Luke Humphries.
Although, it was a decent bet that a 'Luke' would win tonight…
Let's not forget…
That there were a grand total of 914 180s thrown in the 2024 World Darts Championship, a tournament record.
So that means bookmakers Paddy Power will be donating a colossal £914,000 to Prostate Cancer UK.
It also means that Luke Humphries gets his hands on the illustrious Ballon d’Art trophy.
'It has been unbelievable'
Luke Littler is a guy beyond his years, very graceful in defeat and knows his journey is just beginning. As he said yesterday, today was a free hit.
He said: "It has been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me.
"That was the only negative, I just couldn't hold my own throw and I didn't win.
"Every game has been good but that one has just really annoyed me, especially the three missed to keep it going.
"That's what the crowd wanted but fair play to Luke, he deserves it."
Credit: GETTY "I've done it all"
Luke Humphries said: "This is a moment that will never ever be forgotten. Everything I've wanted to do, I've done now.
"Now it's about motivating yourself to do more and more - now I want be double world champion, I want to win loads of majors.
"The world is my oyster, I can win as much as I want - but I will never dominate because we are in a sport now that is so competitive.
"But Luke has been an unbelievable talent - not just on the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media. He took defeat so well there.
"You will never see a 16-year-old kid as down to earth as him - he's just something else. He is one of the best players in the world, no doubt about that."
Luke Humphries lifts the trophy after winning the 2023/24 World Darts Championship FinalCredit: GETTY 
The Sid Waddell Trophy in the ecstatic arms of Luke HumphriesCredit: GETTY
'My hand was shaking like mad'
New world champion Luke Humphries: "I could not put into words how great this feels.
"Honestly I was thinking in the back of my mind, 'get this one now' because he's going to dominate world darts soon! He's going to win plenty I'm sure.
"He's an incredible player and when I was on the brink of winning he was relentless - but I was really, really proud of the performance.
"That double eight at the end, I can't lie, my hand was shaking like mad. I'm world champion, world number one, I can't ask for more.
"It makes it more incredible because there was a time in my life when I was really depressed and I couldn't do it up on the big stage and had a lot of problems - so to be world champion is unbelievable."
Credit: GETTY Joy and despair
Luke Humphries of England celebrates victory with his partnerCredit: GETTY 
Luke 'The Nuke' Littler will be backCredit: GETTY He'll dominate
"I honestly could not put into words how great this feels. In the back of my mind all day I thought get this one now because this guy is going to dominate world darts soon," said Luke Humphries.
Full quotes on the way.
How it happend
