“It’s got to be me” – Luke Littler builds his perfect darts player

Luke Littler and Justin Hood were handed an intriguing challenge by Target Darts: build the perfect darts player by selecting one name for each individual attribute. From scoring power and checkout ability to match intelligence, resilience and even the best walk-on song, every part of the game was up for discussion.

The exercise produced several different selections, but the pair repeatedly arrived at the same conclusion. When it comes to many of the qualities needed at the very highest level, Littler believes he is already the outstanding choice.

The 19-year-old Englishman has become renowned around the world for his exceptional scoring power, so there was little hesitation when that category came up. Hood immediately nominated Littler, who was hardly going to argue. “Yeah, surely Luke Littler. It’s got to be me,” he replied.

Littler then explained just how strongly he tends to begin matches. “I think in nearly every game, my average after the first nine darts is around 110 or 115.”

“It’s ridiculous,” Hood responded, only for Littler to matter-of-factly add: “It’s just what I do.”

Hood also selected the reigning world champion for checkout ability, particularly when the pressure is at its highest. Littler was once again happy to back his own game. “Yeah, I’ll back myself,” he said.

Not every category went Littler’s way. When the pair were asked to identify the player with the greatest resilience and strongest never-say-die attitude, Hood immediately turned to Nathan Aspinall. “Nathan Aspinall,” was his unequivocal choice.

Littler agreed with the selection, describing Aspinall as a “great player” who is “nice and gritty”.

The discussion soon returned to Littler, however, when it came to choosing the ultimate big-game player. Hood again put forward the world number one and Littler responded with a smiling: “Yeah, myself.” “He doesn’t lose finals. Under pressure as well,” Hood reasoned.

“What pressure?” Littler joked. “Exactly. That’s for tyres!” came Hood’s response.

Gerwyn Price was selected for the best celebration. The Welshman’s unmistakable reactions and raw emotion on stage have long made him one of the most expressive players in professional darts.

For match intelligence, the pair looked elsewhere and settled on Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman’s experience, tactical awareness and ability to read crucial moments made him their choice for the thinking side of the perfect player.

Counting was another category in which Littler put himself forward. Asked whether he considered himself particularly strong in that area, the teenager did not hesitate. “Yeah. I don’t make any mistakes,” he said. “I just count through it as well as you.”

Hood also considers counting one of his own strengths, but admitted Littler’s performances under the television cameras make him the obvious selection. “I’d say I’m a good counter, but Luke proves it on television every week,” Hood explained. “So, yeah, you’ve got to go with Luke.”

Aspinall returned to the conversation when the pair considered the best walk-on song in darts. His entrance to The Killers’ “Mr Brightside” has become one of the most recognisable sights and sounds on the PDC circuit, although Littler identified one slight problem. “Even though he doesn’t know a single word!” he joked.

Stephen Bunting’s iconic entrance was also placed in contention, but Littler eventually decided to complete his perfect player with another selection from his own game. “I’ll pick myself,” he said.

The final creation therefore featured some of the most distinctive qualities in modern darts: Littler’s scoring, finishing, big-game temperament and counting; Aspinall’s resilience; Van Gerwen’s match intelligence; Price’s celebrations; and a walk-on ultimately taken from Littler himself.

The perfect darts player may require attributes from several of the sport’s biggest names, but Littler’s repeated inclusion showed just how complete his game has already become at only 19.