Premier League darts announcement LIVE: Full line-up REVEALED as Luke Littler leads the way but two World Champs AXED
THE PREMIER League Darts line-up has now been CONFIRMED - and two former world champions have been AXED from the competition
Tournament holder and new world champ Luke Littler will be looking to retain the title he won during his unprecedented first 12 months in the sport.
Littler will compete in the 17-week extravaganza alongside some of the sport's biggest names, including Michael van Gerwen and World No1 Luke Humphries.
But TWO former world champs have been brutally AXED from the star-studded eight-man field.
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Littler's already splashing the cash
Littler could not hide his reaction when it was announced he would pick up a cheque for a staggering £500,000.
And then in the Ally Pally car park, the new champ was snapped generously sharing a large sum of money with his brother.
The Littler family, including his , walked out of the North London arena to get into a taxi.
But just as they were hopping in, Luke - in a blue hoody - seemingly handed over the wad of notes for Leon Littler.
The jubilant clan were unsurprisingly all smiles upon leaving after the final, no doubt heading off to celebrate the teenage sensation's remarkable achievement.
Hometown hero Littler
Hundreds of fans cheered on Littler from his former darts academy in St.Helens, Merseyside.
The 17-year-old hammered Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in last night's final to become the tournament's youngest ever world champion.
Around 200 people packed into the club's bar to cheer him on together.
Chants of "darts is coming home" were heard as Littler edged closer to victory.
What Littler has done for viewing figures
Viewing figures for the the 2024-25 World Darts Championship have taken the sport to new heights, according to Sky Sports intel.
Now, there's nothing to say this is down to Luke Littler, but it's mostly about the 17-year-old.
The report suggests viewing figures have risen 39 per cent.
The Prime Minister sends his congratulations
Really high praise for world champ Luke Littler from Sir Keir Starmer.
'Mesmerising,' he describes the performance.
No one will disagree.
ICYMI - last night's report
Eighteen days before his 18th birthday, the boy became king.
In a dead-eyed display which made William Tell look like Elmer Fudd, Luke Littler confirmed himself as the finest arrow-slinger on the planet and the youngest world darts champion of all time.
Littler broke the record set by his opponent, Michael Van Gerwen, who won the first of his world titles aged 24.
But the phenomenal darting manchild did more than that. He broke the spirit of the finest player of the previous generation.
The man from the Netherlands had no answer to a kid in Never-Never Land, as Luke the Nuke ran out a 7-3 winner.
One champ to another
Luke Humphries has broken his silence on fellow Luke scooping the title he won 12 months ago.
Humphries posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180 on becoming world champion.
“I think it was very well deserved! Unlucky @MvG180 never gave in and showed a valiant effort!”
Wakey Wakey
Last night Luke Littler gushed over the thought of getting to sleep in his own bed again.
But he'll be buzzing when he wakes up this morning. World Champion at 17. Pressure officially off.
It's now time to dominate the sport for years to come.
He said last night: "It has been a long 2-3 weeks. I cannot wait to go home and get into my own bed.
“As soon as that winning double went in, I couldn’t believe it. I was fine and then I looked into the crowd.
"Everyone was on their feet, that is when the tears came. I looked over to my family and I knew it was mine."
ICYMI - last night's report
Eighteen days before his 18th birthday, the boy became king.
In a dead-eyed display which made William Tell look like Elmer Fudd, Luke Littler confirmed himself as the finest arrow-slinger on the planet and the youngest world darts champion of all time.
Littler broke the record set by his opponent, Michael Van Gerwen, who won the first of his world titles aged 24.
But the phenomenal darting manchild did more than that. He broke the spirit of the finest player of the previous generation.
The man from the Netherlands had no answer to a kid in Never-Never Land, as Luke the Nuke ran out a 7-3 winner.
Good morning darts fans
In case you missed it, teenage sensation Luke Littler thumped Michael van Gerwen in last night's World Darts Championship final.
The 17-year-old - a fortnight or so from turning 18 - put in a devastating performance to win 7-3 and cement himself the best in the business.
In doing so, he scooped the £500,000 prize and became the youngest player in history to do so.
We'll have more reaction throughout the day!
SPOTY leader
William Hill have slashed the odds of Luke Littler to become the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year.
He finished runner-up in last month's award after a stunning breakthrough year but is now fancied to go one better.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “Luke Littler has lit up the oche over the last 12 months. He picked up second place in SPOTY last year, and having gone one better at Ally Pally by becoming the youngest ever winner of the World Darts Championship he’s now just 6/4 to be crowned 2025’s Sports Personality.
“He’s the most backed sportsman on the SPOTY shortlist as things stand, with Lando Norris (7/2) and Lewis Hamilton (7/1) next. There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and December but toppling Littler in the race to be named SPOTY 2025 will take some doing.”
- Luke Littler 6/4
- Lando Norris 7/2
- Lewis Hamilton 7/1
- Ronnie O'Sullivan 12/1
- Lucy Bronze 12/1
- 14/1 BAR
Poignant
Viewers praised Sky Sports for the "lovely touch" of ending their World Darts Championship coverage with a tribute to Donna Mardle.
The wife of five-time world semi-finalist and Sky presenter Wayne died last month aged 52 after a short illness.
Mardle, 51, stepped back from his much-respected commentary following the tragic loss of Donna, 22 years after they wed.
And darts fans appreciated Sky rounding off the night at the Ally Pally - following Luke Littler's historic final triumph over Michael van Gerwen - with a "really nice tribute" to Donna.
One viewer called it a "touch of class" and another said: "Thinking of him and his family and hope to hear him on comms when the Premier League is back."
A third wrote: "Well done Luke Littler and well done on Sky Sports for that tribute just at the end to Donna Mardle."
Favourite
How's this for a stat from @Darts_Tracker?
Across the semi final & final of this year’s PDC World Darts Championship, Luke Littler hit 17 of his 20 attempts at D10.
It must be so comforting knowing that you're more likely going to hit it than not.
I'm even sure a couple of times he missed D20 on purpose to leave that finish too.
Luke Littler's stunning run to victory
Here's the incredible run Luke Littler enjoyed on route to clinching world champion status.
Including where he dropped the 11 legs he did along the way!
- Round 2: Beat Ryan Meikle 3-1
- Round 3: Beat Ian White 4-1
- Round 4: Beat Ryan Joyce 4-3
- QF: Beat Nathan Aspinall 5-2
- SF: Beat Stephen Bunting 6-1
- Final: Beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3
Loot Littler
Luke Littler's rise continues to move more rapidly than pal Lando Norris tearing around a race track.
The teenage sensation, still only 17, has taken the darts world by storm - conquering all in front of him.
His spectacular victory over Michael van Gerwen to win the World Darts Final confirmed his place as one of sport's greatest prodigies.
Littler has also become a millionaire in just 12 months - thanks to success on the oche, as well as savvy sponsorship deals. Winning the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and starring on the ITV reboot of Bullseye over the Christmas period has thrusted him into popular culture outside of the arrows.
And his historic victory at Ally Pally on Friday night has cemented his place as one of the nation's favourites.
What has Luke Littler won?
First and foremost, he's won his first ever World Darts Championship trophy.
He's also claimed the record as the youngest ever player to do it - snatching that off runner-up Michael van Gerwen, too.
Littler also banged in the most 180s during the tournament - by a country mile - to claim the Ballon D'Art.
And he scooped a stunning £500,000 on top of all that.
Not bad.
One champ to another
Luke Humphries has broken his silence on fellow Luke scooping the title he won 12 months ago.
Humphries posted on Twitter: "Congratulations to @LukeTheNuke180 on becoming world champion.
"I think it was very well deserved! Unlucky @MvG180 never gave in and showed a valiant effort!"
So, what's next?
Still plenty more reaction to come from Littler's victory.
But just on the upcoming Premier League, an official announcement on the eight players that will take part will come on MONDAY night.
Still one or two places up for grabs you'd think. Could be a big call...
Littler will be there to defend his crown and he'll absolutely be favourite to do so.
She's a Celebrity
Coleen Rooney snapped at the final tonight, clearly loving her night out.
The I'm A Celeb runner-up's skin still glowing as it did in the jungle as she took in Littler's big win.
It wasn't so long ago her now-husband was the prince of all things sport as a teenage sensation.
Let's hope Littler doesn't go into management when he hangs his darts up.
Low blow, sorry Wazza!
Ballon D'Art
Ah yes, I promised a Ballon D'Art image.
Well here it is, as Sir Chris Hoy presented Littler with the quite magnificent trophy following his comfortable success in the 180s table.
I need to add, isn't it wonderful to see Sir Chris looking so well after his heartbreaking recent cancer diagnosis reveal? Particularly as a hero of mine this is a wonderful sight.
Spend those winnings
Just the £500,000 pocketed in one swoop by the 17-year-old.
And just in time for Team Of The Year to come out on FC25 (or FIFA, if you're like me and prefer it). Wonder how much of that half a million Xbox will see...
More from the champ
He added: "As soon as that winning double went in, I couldn’t believe it.
"I was fine and then I looked into the crowd. Everyone was on their feet, that is when the tears came. I looked over to my family and I knew it was mine.
"It’s probably going on the living-room floor. To see it there and know it’s mine, I cannot wait."
Littler's press conference
The new world champion has been speaking to the media following his sensational victory.
My colleague Rob Maul is there and present, with Littler saying: "I didn’t feel any nerves up until the last leg when I started shaking.
"I thought to myself: ‘I had not shaken all game – so don’t do it now!’
"It’s heavy (the trophy). It has been a long 2-3 weeks. I cannot wait to go home and get into my own bed."
Credit: @reuters Route to victory
Luke Littler's run to victory at Ally Pally
- Round 2: Beat Ryan Meikle 3-1
- Round 3: Beat Ian White 4-1
- Round 4: Beat Ryan Joyce 4-3
- QF: Beat Nathan Aspinall 5-2
- SF: Beat Stephen Bunting 6-1
- Final: Beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3
Family snaps
Some of those pictures of Luke Littler with his family following the presentation.
Message from the Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer tuned into the action tonight, evening Premier Minister.
He's posted a congratulatory message for Littler, saying: "Mesmerising performance from @LukeTheNuke180 to win the World Darts Championship.
"Congratulations Luke on being the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion.
"An inspirational performance under such pressure to lift the trophy.
"You should be really proud of what you've achieved tonight, not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole."
