"The next Tiger Woods for darts": Barry Hearn calls Luke Littler his 'Christmas present' last year

According to darts boss Bary Hearn, there are plenty of youngsters ready to follow in Luke Littler's footsteps. Littler unleashed true media hype at the previous World Darts Championship by reaching the final at the biggest tournament of the year at the age of just 16.

Littler thus earned a Tour Card and managed to win no fewer than ten titles in his first PDC season, including the Premier League Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts. In just twelve months, 'The Nuke' already earned at least one million pounds in prize money.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Hearn indicated that he was thrilled with Littler's arrival. “He was my Christmas present last year. I am so difficult to buy for because I'm older, and I have got most of the things I want.

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“And then someone gave me Luke Littler, and it is the ultimate Christmas present I could have had. Luke Humphries and him are going to just dominate these darts events. But be careful because there is half a dozen really top youngsters that are following in the footsteps of Luke Littler. So he may not have it quite as easy as he thinks.”

Television ratings and ticket sales have skyrocketed over the past 12 months thanks to the impact of Littler, who only turns 18 next year. In a separate interview with the BBC, Hearn reiterated his praise for the British teen sensation. ''“We've been watching his progress since he was about seven. He was on our radar, but we never anticipated what would happen. The next thing we know, Littlermania is spreading everywhere. Luke Humphries is another fabulous player who is going to be around for years. Sport is a very brutal world. It is about winning and claiming the high ground. There will be envy around."

“Luke Littler is the next Tiger Woods for darts so they better get used to it, and the only way to compete is to get better.”

The upcoming edition of the World Darts Championship starts from Sunday, December 15, at the Alexandra Palace in London. On Saturday, December 21, it will be Littler's turn. Then he will meet the winner of the match between Fallon Sherrock and Ryan Meikle.

“Good luck to them both. It should be a really interesting game, because Ryan's playing really good, and so is Fallon," said Littler.

“Either way, I'm very confident, whoever wins. I just can't wait to get on stage. Ever since the Worlds [last year] it has been crazy - this is where it all started for me. The buzz is there, I can feel it.”