Luke Littler follows in footsteps of darts legends like Eric Bristow as he signs major TV deal after success on the oche

DARTS ace Luke Littler will be the guest player on the Bullseye reboot.

The World Championship runner-up will join new host Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and throw for charity on the Christmas special of the revived quiz show.

Excitement surrounding Luke’s surge to the final as a 16-year-old is said to have inspired ITV bosses to consider reviving the programme.

Professional darters were regular guests on the original series where they tried to score as many points as possible to bag money for charities chosen by the competing pairs of amateur player plus quizzer.

A TV insider said: “Luke wasn’t even born when Bullseye was on our screens with original host, Jim Bowen.

“But Luke knows this is a plum role to have landed.

“As he steps up to the Bullseye oche he knows he’s following in the footsteps of legends including Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson who all threw darts on the programme in its 1980s heyday.

"It’s also a coup for the makers of the new Bullseye as Luke is now one of Britain’s best-known players.

“Producers moved swiftly to sign him shortly after the programme was recommissioned by ITV.

“It all adds to the huge sense of excitement for the programme to return.” 

Luke, from Runcorn, Cheshire, who is now 17, was beaten by Luke Humphries in the world final. Both players have since helped raise the sport’s profile with younger fans.

The Sun exclusively revealed this month that Bullseye was returning with Freddie fronting the show, made by 12 Yard Productions.

The ex-England cricketer and former Top Gear presenter, 46, said at the announcement: “Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this.”

A date has yet to be revealed for his festive edition.

It is hoped the show will prove so popular that it could be turned into a full series next year.

The original Bullseye, known for its often-naff prizes, aired on ITV for 15 series from 1981 to 1995.

Host Bowen made it cult viewing with a string of catchphrases although he claimed he never used the most frequently quoted — “Super, smashing, great!”.

From series five in 1985 onwards, the professional who recorded the highest score during the charity segment of the show would be presented with a Bronze Bully trophy — a statuette of the programme’s bull mascot.

Past winners included five-time world champ Bristow, triple world champ John Lowe and “Limestone Cowboy” Bob Anderson.

The pro stars also featured in the animated opening titles of the show travelling in a bus driven by Bully.

It is hoped that if Bullseye is picked up for a full series, Littler, Humphries and other pros will take turns in the fundraising slot.