"No one is going to hold him and make sure he’s alright" - Peter Wright shuns idea of Luke Littler being 'babysat' by more experienced players

Friday, 02 February 2024 at 14:00

Luke Littler, at 17, is the youngest-ever participant in Premier League Darts. But this year's eldest competitor, Peter Wright, has shunned the idea that the teenage sensation should be babysat by the more experienced players.

"He’s 17 it was his choice and his manager to come into the Premier League," Wright began his argument. "So no there should be no arm around anyone. Obviously Luke Humphries is not going to get it even though it is his first Premier League. As soon as he starts getting beaten up on the floor and the Premier League, no one is going to hold him and make sure he’s alright."

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“I don’t think Luke Littler should be babysat," Wright continues emphatically. "You are into the hardest darts thing you can play in, so he’s got to deal with it."

Wright does admire Littler, however. "Luke has inspired me and what he’s done for the game, all the press, sponsors. It’s fantastic for the darts," he says with praise. “It’s also fantastic for all the young players to be inspired. You haven’t got to be 50-years-old to go and be a world champion. It’s given belief for kids.”

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The 53-year-old Wright wants to get back to his best after a down period. "The hunger is there more than ever. The last couple of years I’ve just been turning up like a zombie and going through the motions. Obviously I had stuff going on back at home. I could have quite easily said I’m not going to play anymore after the Worlds, I could have retired and finished."

“The only place I am going is up. I like when I’m being written off, I always have done," the former two-time world champion continues. “I’ve got to start again, the slate is clean. I’m going to stick with the same set of darts all year. I’ve changed my position on the oche where I stand. So it’s all a new toy that I’m playing with. I’m looking forward to it, hopefully you’ll see a different Snakebite up there playing and hopefully get a few results."

Wright has won several majors, but the Premier League is absent from his trophy cabinet despite having match darts in the final in 2017, when he lost 11-10 to Michael van Gerwen. "I wouldn’t be bothered if I hadn’t won the Premier League when I retire. To just be a part of it is an achievement in itself. This is my 11th and it’s special. I’d love to win it but we’ve all got to beat Michael van Gerwen. He’s the man, not the Lukes. My trousers with the skulls on, this is how Luke Humphries and Luke Littler will look after 10 weeks, never mind 17 weeks."