Luke Littler shortlisted for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year as darts prodigy aims for back-to-back crowns

Luke Littler will go for a historic second BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year title, after being named on the three-person shortlist for the 2025 award — the only darts player ever to win it and now the first to return as defending champion.

The 18-year-old’s inclusion was confirmed on Tuesday morning during BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, where the nominees were revealed live on air.

Littler’s 2025 season has been nothing short of era-defining. He became the youngest world champion in darts history at 17 with a statement victory over Michael van Gerwen, completed the prestigious 'Triple Crown' by lifting the World Matchplay, and rose to world number one following his Grand Slam win in November — smashing the previous record for the youngest man to top the rankings.

Reflecting on his nomination, Littler said: "Being nominated for Young Sports Personality of the Year again is a big honour. Last year's win was a proud moment for me and I've had another incredible 12 months. I want to continue raising the profile of darts and bringing new fans into the sport."

Darts' profile within mainstream awards remains rare, making Littler’s repeat recognition another milestone in the sport’s growing visibility.

Joining Littler on the shortlist are England footballer Michelle Agyemang and cricket sensation Davina Perrin, both 19.

Agyemang was instrumental in England’s Euro 2025 triumph, scoring late equalisers in both the quarter-final and semi-final before being named Young Player of the Tournament. The Arsenal forward is currently recovering from an ACL rupture suffered on international duty.

Perrin, meanwhile, delivered one of English cricket’s standout moments of the year with a record 42-ball century in The Hundred — the fastest by any English woman in T20 cricket. She later earned the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award after a prolific domestic season.

The winner will be chosen by the BBC’s expert panel and announced live on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year broadcast on 18 December, shown on BBC One and iPlayer from 19:00 GMT.

Littler won the award in 2024 after his breakout year electrified British sport. Should he win again this December, he would become one of the very few athletes in the award’s history to claim consecutive titles — and the first from darts to even be in a position to do so.

For a sport still fighting for broader mainstream recognition, another SPOTY triumph would be yet another sign of darts’ rapid rise — driven, once again, by an 18-year-old rewriting the record books at every turn.