ITV forced into broadcast change as Luke Littler makes World Series of Darts finish early

ITV were forced to change their schedule after Luke Littler blitzed the World Series of Darts finals.

The teenage sensation won his second major championship of the year with a brilliant display in Amsterdam.

He swatted aside home favourite Michael van Gerwen before beating Michael Smith in the final to get his hands on the trophy.

Each semi-final and the final was best of 21 legs, so ITV prepared by scheduling the broadcast to finish at 10pm.

But such was Littler's display he had things wrapped up before 9:30pm, with ITV forced to show an episode of River Monsters to fill the vacant spot.

The darts was meant to be followed by Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, which remained in its 10pm slot.

And one fan wrote: "Just when you think it's going to be tough to follow the drama, tension and riveting action delivered at the World Series of Darts Finals.... RIVER MONSTERS FOLLOWS THE DARTS ON ITV4"

Littler was unstoppable in Amsterdam and he thrashed Van Gerwen 11-4 in the semi-final after winning nine consecutive legs.

Next Michael Smith beat a resurgent Peter Wright 11-6 in the other semi-final, but he proved no match for The Nuke.

Littler, 17, dished out the same treatment in the final by not giving Smith a sniff.

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He almost repeated the trick of winning nine legs in a row but Bully Boy pulled off Big Fish to delay the inevitable.

Littler then polished off his 11th leg in style to win the World Series of Darts - his second major trophy after Premier League Darts.

He said of his victory: “I’m just happy to win. It’s been a long day of course.

“Waking up early, didn’t like that one. I managed to get over the line against Chris (Dobey). I relaxed tonight and I played very well.”

On the fans chanting his name, he added: “It tells me there’s only one Luke Littler!

“This time last year I was on the Development Tour. I won a few events and my name was getting mentioned. But at the Worlds, that’s when everyone knew who I was.

“The trophies I’ve won, the finals I’ve lost this year, I’m just building on it and I’m winning more.

“It will take some beating this weekend. It’s a busy schedule with the winter to come. I’m ready for it.”