‘Incredible kid’: Littler takes aim at world darts title aged 16

Luke ‘the Nuke’ tipped to be Lionel Messi of darts as he reaches quarter-final on way to £500,000 prize

On Saturday night, as the 16-year-old darts sensation Luke “the Nuke” Littler surged to an easy win over one of the game’s greatest ever players, a TV commentator remarked: “It’s almost as if the kebab shop is closing at 10 and he’s rushing to get there on time.”

The Warrington teenager is known for celebrating wins with a takeaway and was landing repeated 180s as he swatted aside Raymond van Barneveld, who had won several world titles before Littler was even born. There was something paternal about how the older champion congratulated the rising star.