"He's a bit of a lightweight": Nathan Aspinall teases Luke Littler about drinking habits after turning 18

Luke Littler has only just turned 18 and with alcohol now a part of his life depending on whether he chooses to drink or not, Nathan Aspinall has opened up on his drinking habits and what 'The Nuke' drinks on a night time after tournaments.

In conversation with talkSPORT, Aspinall told talkSPORT with a wink that Littler has developed greatly over the past 12 months, both on and off the stage. “He's coming out of his shell a bit as well now with the boys," Aspinall told presenters Hawksbee and Jacobs. “He used to play his darts and go back to his room and play on his PlayStation or whatever. He's now actually coming down to the hotel bar and playing cards with us and stuff like that.

“He's definitely grown up in the last 12 months. But I think he's kind of had to really because of everything that's been thrown at him.

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Although Littler is increasingly joining the pros' group moments, his drinking is still limited. “He'll have a couple of [Strongbow] Dark Fruits. He's a bit of a lightweight, but he's only 18. He'll have like four pints and that's him done.”

Littler's stormy rise has boosted the sport of darts worldwide. With his flood of 180s, gigantic finishes and rock-solid performances under high pressure, he manages to mesmerize the public time and again. That growing popularity has also affected the financial side of the sport.

For example, the PDC recently announced that the winner of the 2026 World Championship will receive a record £1 million, double the amount Littler received for his world title this year. According to Aspinall, this creates a palpable energy within the player group. “It's amazing. I think it's dedicated to all the players that have worked hard over the last few years, putting on great nights for all the fans.

Littler's influence on that growth cannot be underestimated, according to Aspinall. “Obviously Luke Littler has played a big part in promoting the game to a larger audience which has bought bigger sponsors. 

“All the lads were buzzing about it as we were, because we had a pay rise.

With the promise of the highest prize money ever in sight, Aspinall secretly dreams of being the first darts pro to collect the million in 2026. “It'll be amazing to be the first guy to win that million pound prize money.”

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