"He is the reason I have to do exhibitions a week before my wedding because he keeps taking all the money": Nathan Aspinall paid for Luke Littler's Ubers before fame

PDC
Thursday, 06 August 2026 at 09:10
Nathan Aspinall and Luke Littler at the 2026 World Matchplay
Nathan Aspinall has offered an insight into the early days of Luke Littler's career. He recognised the extraordinary talent of the current darts sensation long before the rest of the world became aware of the teenager. Littler, who successfully defended his World Matchplay title last month, regularly visited Aspinall's house for practice sessions, with 'The Asp' even paying for his Uber rides.
ADVERTISEMENT
Littler was just 16 years old when he burst onto the global stage at the 2024 World Darts Championship. On his debut at Alexandra Palace, the teenager produced a sensational run to the final. Although Luke Humphries proved too strong with a 7-4 victory, Littler had already shown the world that a truly exceptional talent had arrived.
Aspinall, however, had witnessed that talent long before. Speaking during an exhibition event, the world No. 16 reflected on the period when Littler frequently came to his home to practise.
“Before he made the final the first time three years ago, going into that tournament he was coming into my house practising. I was paying for his Ubers!" said Aspinall. "A lot of people do blame me. He used to practice with me three years ago.
Aspinall admitted he saw things in those practice sessions that left him amazed. According to Aspinall, the level Littler produces on television is not even the best he is capable of. “What you think you see on TV is good. Holy s***, you should see him in my shed. It is unbelievable. Can he get any better? If he practices, yeah, which is frightening.”

Aspinall's prediction has become reality

Aspinall's prediction has since come true. Littler has rapidly developed from one of the game's brightest prospects into the biggest star in the PDC. Now 19 years old, the Englishman has already won 14 major titles and this season completed an unprecedented clean sweep by winning all six televised PDC majors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Luke Littler Nathan Aspinall pose jokingly.
Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall at an exhibition in Scotland.

First player to pass the £3 million mark

Littler also made history by becoming the first player ever to surpass £3 million on the PDC Order of Merit. The teenage phenomenon is now chasing a unique clean sweep of all 11 PDC premier titles in 2026.
Aspinall can only admire the progress of one of his closest friends. "He made a 111 average over probably 200 legs in the second biggest tournament against fantastic dart players look easy. "
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Littler's rise has also had an amusing downside for Aspinall. While the pair remain close friends, Littler's enormous popularity has seen more and more money flow towards the young superstar, something Aspinall has noticed with his own wedding approaching. "He is a good mate of mine and he has done a lot for the game. There are a lot of kids coming to these [exhibitions].

"He keeps taking all the money"

Aspinall then explained why there was more than a grain of truth behind the joke. The anecdote perfectly illustrates how quickly the roles have reversed. Just a few years ago, Aspinall was paying the Uber fares for a young Luke Littler to come and practise at his house. Now, the teenager has become one of the biggest stars and highest earners in the world of darts.
“So, I owe a lot of thanks to Luke, but I wish he would f*** off. He is the reason I have to do exhibitions a week before my wedding because he keeps taking all the f****** money!”
claps 1visitors 1
loading

Just in

Popular news

Latest comments

Loading