Has Luke Littler exceeded expectations in 2024?: "We all thought he was going to take over the world and he is"

Luke Littler has had the spotlight shone on him as ever after his rise at the World Darts Championship. A year after he achieved worldwide fame, the intrigue about whether he has exceeded expectations is the next question.

Michael Bridge and Polly James were quizzed about it on The Darts Show podcast and both lauded 'The Nuke' for what he's done winning the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts and various top PDC titles.

"What an incredible year for him and his contribution to darts and make no apology for the praise we're about to give him because of what he is continuing to do to this sport," said Bridge on The Darts Show Podcast.

"There's great things going on right now in darts. And one of them is how open it is. You can't really predict it anymore because of how good players you don't expect to be.

"I remember when we were in Sky Sports News, the Premier League was being announced. I asked PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter: how hard a decision was it to put Luke in the Premier League event? Easy! But people disagreed then, didn't they?

"And then days later, he hits a nine-darter in the Bahrain Masters, he wins the Premier League, World Series final winner, Austrian-Belgian Euro Tour winner, he's won Pro Tours. So it's been an unbelievable 11 to 12 months just watching him.

"It beggars belief what he's achieved and what he could go on to achieve. What he did on those last few days in Wolverhampton were absolutely mind-blowing. And what he's doing, what he's continuing to do to this sport is something very, very special. It's a real privilege to be part of."

"When we look back at the beginning of the year, when he was in the final against Luke Humphries at the Worlds, it's very rare that you big someone up so much and then they deliver. And then that," said Polly James in response to the question.

"That's why when people are like, are we shocked to see him in the top five? Not really, because there was such a huge buzz about him and he's delivered. And we all got very excited about him. We all thought he was going to take over the world. And he is."