"The stuff in the papers I read it and laugh, it's a load of rubbish" - Luke Littler calls out media's fake news surrounding him

Luke Littler makes his debut in the Big Apple this weekend, as the PDC travels stateside for the US Darts Masters at the iconic Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

"It's crazy to even think about playing here," Littler says ahead of the World Series of Darts tournament in conversation with Online Darts. "Just thinking of all the athletes who have performed here like Connor McGregor and Dustin Poirier in the UFC. Now, I get to plant my name here."

A man in demand in the US, Littler has already enjoyed visits to the Bleacher Report studios, a podcast appearance alongside Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour and travelled on an open top bus tour of the City That Never Sleeps. "The city is unbelievable," the 17-year-old beams. "It's just crazy. I thought London was busy! A year ago I was starting the Development Tour, still in school some days. But now, I'm here."

Given his immense rise of the last few months however, there's been a lot of change in the life of the darting prodigy, with not a lot of time to soak it all in. One of these changes that isn't completely welcome is the added attention from the media. "I know that most media want to speak to me and but that's what happens when you win stuff," he says of the added attention.

One incident in particular has seemed to rile up Littler. "My mum sent me something from The Sun. There's like picture of my brother with his misses and the kid. They got his birthday wrong and it was just all rubbish," he laughs in disbelief and disappointment. "They don't need to get involved but that's what they do. The stuff in the papers I read it and laugh, it's a load of rubbish."

In the opening round, Littler has the potentially tricky tie of Canada's Matt Campbell to deal with.