"I want to pass it soon though!": Anguish from Luke Littler about driving theory fail but remains unfazed amid spotlight

Luke Littler might have spent last week swotting up for his driving theory test which he failed again, but on Sunday night in Blackpool, the teenager was in front of a test he can pass as he discussed his opener in Blackpool.

Judging by his stunning first-round performance at the 2025 World Matchplay an obliteration of Ryan Searle, there’s no sign of him stalling on the big stage.

He touched upon failing his theory test and going from the contrast of that to the big stage. But he said that what isn't realised is he is still an 18-year-old kid and whether he is a huge celebrity or not he'll go about his day how he sees fit.

“Yeah, it’s just what an 18-year-old boy does,” Littler smiled post-match. “Whether I’ve got millions of followers, whether I’m World Champion, I’m still just going to go about my day and do stuff with my mates like a normal 18-year-old kid.”

Littler flipped the switch tonight and turned in a clinical 10-2 win over Ryan Searle, producing one of the most dominant displays of the opening round. But he still harbours the main ambition to pass.

“As soon as I finished [the theory test], I came home and got on the board,” he said. “But yeah, I want to pass it soon though!”

That grounded mindset—flicking between everyday teenage life and the pressure of elite-level sport—is part of what makes Littler such a fascinating figure. Despite the media buzz and title expectations, he looked completely unfazed at the Winter Gardens.

“I just said to myself, just get it over and done with—no matter how good it is, no matter how bad it is,” he said. “Just get the win and don’t let it last too long.”

At one point, Littler was averaging 117, dismantling Searle leg after leg and came close to the average record.

“I seen, obviously, when I went 5-0 up or whatever it was,” he explained. “I was on a 117 average and Ryan was on 110 or something. But I was picking the doubles before he got a chance.”

“I’ve definitely put on a show,” he added. “But for myself, it’s massive. If I can do that in round two and onwards, then obviously it'll be better.”

What made the performance even more impressive was the context: it was Littler’s first appearance in a ranking event since April 21st as he has gone on holidays and played the World Series over the European Tour.

“I didn’t even know that,” he admitted. “As a player, if you don’t pick up a trophy for five months, that’s always in the back of your mind, getting that winning feeling back. So just to win round one and get it ticked off, I’m very happy.”

For a player who burst onto the scene with such electricity, he’s had to battle the burden of expectation throughout 2025.

“It’s not been the best,” he said of his year so far. “It’s been okay,I started the year off better. But since then I’ve not really done much practice. I fell short in the Premier League and won the Euro Tour, but now it’s making me hungry.”

But the time off has fueled his desire. “I’ve been practising for hours and hours,” he said. “I felt like it was time to put the work in, and I’m glad it paid off tonight.”

But while he knows the Triple Crown is there to be won brushing off the talk but keeping a wary eye on it—“It’s there to be won, but I’m just focused on round two”, he seems perfectly at ease with managing the pressure.

He’s also not letting the carnage elsewhere in the draw distract him, even as top seeds including Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall crashed out early.

“I was here last night watching from the balcony. Obviously, I wanted Luke [Humphries] to win, but it didn’t go to plan,” he said. “But now, everyone knows it won’t be a ‘Luke-Luke’ final.”

“All eyes are on me now,” he added.

Next up is Jermaine Wattimena, a player Littler has beaten convincingly in the past but one who is always dangerous.

“I remember playing him at the Grand Slam—I don’t remember the other times,” Littler joked. “He played well this afternoon, but what I’ve done tonight gives me a big confidence boost.”

And should Wattimena be concerned? “Maybe,” Littler said with a grin. “But it’s whatever happens on the day. I’m feeling very, very confident.”