"It would mean nothing" - Luke Littler's astonishing response to joining Phil Taylor with three straight world titles

Luke Littler has insisted that joining Phil Taylor as a three-time consecutive PDC world champion would "mean nothing" to him, despite the historic opportunity awaiting him at Alexandra Palace. The world number one has also revealed that he apologised to the disappointed contestants left backstage after Fallon Sherrock's £501,000 victory brought Netflix's Beat Luke Littler to an early conclusion.

Speaking to Online Darts, the 19-year-old discussed his World Championship ambitions, the end of his hopes of completing a clean sweep of major titles in 2026 and the demanding format of Netflix's first live darts event. He also explained why missing the Players Championship Finals could benefit his preparations for Alexandra Palace, outlined plans to play more ranking tournaments in 2027 and reflected on life away from the board.

Three appearances at Alexandra Palace have produced three World Championship finals for Littler, beginning with his extraordinary breakthrough as a 16-year-old in 2023/24, when he lost to Luke Humphries.

He returned to defeat Michael van Gerwen for his first world title in January 2025 before dismantling Gian van Veen 7-1 to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy a year later. Another triumph would make him only the second player after Phil Taylor to win three consecutive PDC World Championships, with Taylor having claimed eight in succession between 1995 and 2002.

Asked what joining Taylor in achieving three straight titles would mean, Littler replied: "It would mean nothing." "I think it's not easy to settle at the Worlds, but because it was my first big, big tournament and I got to the final, and then I've won it back-to-back, I've got a very good record. Runner-up, two wins. I kind of said it last year before the Worlds, just get to the final or get to the semis, just keep your run up at the Worlds. But once it comes around, I'll be very excited."

Littler's preference for longer matches was evident again at July's World Matchplay, where he defeated Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final."I think everyone knows long formats, that's when I really turn it on," he explained. "If I'm 5-0 down, like we've seen in the Matchplay last year, I've always got a gear there. I'll always step it up, I'll always come back and fight. Longer formats, that's where I'm at."

The Matchplay was his fifth major singles title of 2026, following successful defences of the World Championship, Premier League and UK Open, alongside a maiden World Masters triumph. For a time, the possibility of completing a clean sweep of major titles became a genuine talking point.

That ambition disappeared at September's World Series of Darts Finals, where Jonny Clayton defeated Littler 10-4 in the quarter-finals. Luke Woodhouse subsequently eliminated him from the World Grand Prix in the opening round before Krzysztof Ratajski ended his European Championship challenge.

The latter defeat came despite Littler averaging 114.47 against Nathan Aspinall in the previous round, while he had also won the Czech Darts Open in September. "Yeah, it's all gone!" Littler laughed when his clean-sweep ambitions were raised.

"I wouldn't say there was pressure. We had the troubles in Amsterdam and then the double-start at the Grand Prix just wasn't to be. Then the Europeans, the toughest game of them all, playing in the afternoon, and I got beat. Fair play to Krzysztof."

"It feels like a year ago since I won something. It was only at the Matchplay!" Littler joked. "Even at these exhibitions and at Netflix, I'm playing well. I know I can play well. Now we just get a little break and go back to the Grand Slam."

Littler begins his Grand Slam defence against Beau Greaves on Saturday evening, with Niels Zonneveld also in his group. The world number one is unbeaten across his two previous Grand Slam campaigns, winning the title in 2024 and 2025, although Greaves defeated him in the semi-finals of last year's World Youth Championship.

His most unusual defeat of the autumn came on 30 October, when Fallon Sherrock brought Netflix's Beat Luke Littler to a dramatic conclusion at Manchester Central.

The show offered 20 challengers the opportunity to defeat Littler in a single leg of 501, with £501,000 awaiting the first successful contestant. After winning his opening 14 encounters, the world champion was beaten by Sherrock, who won the bull to throw first and completed a 15-dart leg, finishing on double top.

Her victory left five contestants without an opportunity to play, including Scottish teenage prospect Mitchell Lawrie, whose anticipated meeting with Littler had generated considerable interest.

"I wanted to beat everyone and give the £501,000 to numerous charities, but it wasn't to be," Littler told Online Darts. "That's what Fallon or someone had to do. Win the bull, go out in 15. I had to go out in 12 and I didn't. Fair play to Fallon. I know everyone wanted to see me and Mitchell play, but he didn't get his opportunity. I went into the back room and not only Mitchell, but the other three or four players, they were gutted. I apologised, but I was tired."

The running order proved particularly frustrating. "The plan was to have five legs, all in one go, back to back, and then have a five or ten-minute break. But I was having breaks in between legs. I was coming off, coming back on, coming off, coming back on," he explained. "That's something myself and Netflix can learn from and build on for hopefully next time."

His performances included an opening 15-darter, a 14-darter and a 12-dart leg against Jayden Walker. The latter prompted an amused admission from Littler: "I had to!"

Despite the demanding format, he enjoyed the production, from the rehearsals and promotional filming to the elaborate stage and atmosphere created by approximately 3,000 spectators.

"There are people who never watch darts but they're on Netflix, so people who don't usually watch it might have tuned in," he said. "Netflix are obviously learning as well. It's their first time doing a darts event, so I think if we do another one, it'll be even better."

Littler is also keen to face Lawrie in the future and believes the teenager could become an attraction on the exhibition circuit. "I think Mitchell might even get opportunities to come to these exhibitions. Instead of me and Luke Humphries, or me and Nathan Aspinall, it'll be me and Mitchell for the main event," he suggested. "He's only going to get better, but his profile is only going to get bigger as well. I'm sure we'll cross paths. I know he's itching to get on the Development Tour next year, but I'm sure he'll get invited to a few of these exhibitions sometime."

Littler entered only two Players Championship tournaments in 2026, reaching the quarter-finals and semi-finals in consecutive events in Leicester in August. His limited involvement means he will not defend his Players Championship Finals title in Minehead later this month.

"I think it'll also help me playing the Grand Slam, missing the Players and then going straight to the Worlds, because I know I've got a fair few exhibitions in there before the Worlds," Littler explained.

With his final exhibition provisionally scheduled for 7 December and the World Championship beginning four days later, he added: "I'll have a few days off, but it'll keep me going. We'll travel down the day before. I think not qualifying for the Players Championship Finals should help me."

His plans for 2027 could look rather different. "I don't think I've got many exhibitions. I don't think I'm doing any really next year, so I think you'll see me a lot more on the European Tour," he revealed. "But then again, if I win the first two or three and secure my place, maybe I might not go to any more. But if I'm not doing exhibitions next year, I may as well go to the European Tour and get some practice in."

He is also considering playing enough Players Championship events to secure a return to Minehead. "Yeah, I think I'll play a few ProTours next year. Obviously this year was all down to myself because I was playing so well and winning every major. I just wanted to balance it."

With the Players Championship Finals expanding to 128 players in 2027, the interviewer suggested that approximately £15,000 in prize money could be enough to qualify. Littler would prefer a greater cushion, targeting around £20,000 to £25,000 to secure his place.

His ambitions extend to the inaugural European Open in Salzburg and the expanded European Championship in Dortmund, the latter remaining one of the few major singles titles missing from his collection.

"I think the Europeans, as soon as it strikes New Year, the Europeans is always the main goal," he said. "Obviously we've still got the Worlds, so I'll think about the Worlds first. Once the Worlds is done, that's when the Europeans and the new tournament will come to mind. But you can't be thinking about them just yet. You've got to wait. I need to win those two now."

Littler welcomed the PDC's continued expansion, adding: "Darts is only getting bigger and better. That's why there's a new tournament involved, and I'm sure there'll be plenty more if there's space in the calendar."

Still only 19, Littler has spent almost three years in the public eye since his World Championship breakthrough, with his subsequent success bringing considerable fame beyond darts.

"If people spot me in the street, they'll be like, 'How's the darts going?' and this and that," he explained. "I'm just thinking in my head, 'Yeah, it's going good, but I'm chilling. I'm Luke Littler. I'm not Luke the darts player.'"

Away from tournaments, he continues to enjoy collecting and selling trading cards through Whatnot, where viewers occasionally question why someone with his wealth spends time on the platform.

"People come into the chat saying, 'Why are you doing this? You're a millionaire.' I'm like, 'I do it for the fun of it.' It's a hobby. If I go on Whatnot and make a tenner on a box, that's fine. I just go and get another one and do it all again."

He also enjoys spending time with friends, going bowling or shopping at the Trafford Centre, and following Manchester United and Warrington Wolves.

Boxing remains another major interest, with Littler hoping to attend the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury fight in Cardiff despite the logistical difficulty of travelling from Alexandra Palace during the World Championship. He has ruled out a helicopter journey but is considering other options, while continuing to back Joshua to win what he expects to be a close contest.

His decision to skip numerous ranking tournaments this year has allowed him to spend more time at home or travel with his partner Faith and family. "That's what we've done this year with missing ProTours and loads of European Tours, just having that time at home or going away somewhere with Faith or the family," he explained. "It's probably going to be the same for as long as I'm playing darts because I need downtime before a major."

Littler admitted that he is still learning to handle the different demands of exhibitions, media commitments and major tournaments, having moved from a promising teenager to world number one in such a short period.

"I don't have any downtime to think about it. I think I'll think about it when I retire because we're constantly on the road," he said. "I wouldn't say it just brushes past me, but it kind of does, because if I win a major, it's on to the next one, on to the sponsors, on to a photoshoot day. I think once I retire, that's when I'll sit down and watch everything back."

Littler faces Greaves in Wolverhampton on Saturday before turning his attention to another World Championship campaign, where he will attempt to reach a fourth consecutive final and win his third world title before turning 20.