"You knew there was a buzz in the air": Andrew Gilding harks back to Luke Littler tie which started sporting superstardom

Andrew Gilding was superb as he found his way past Martin Lukeman 3-1 and will return after Christmas at the PDC World Darts Championship.

Gilding also was asked about the Luke Littler phenomenon with his defeat to the then 16-year-old starting it all off back then and now he has become a global sporting superstar.

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"He (Lukeman) got all that way in the Grand Slam, I thought another bad draw this year," said Gilding post match.

"My finishing needs a bit of work. I hit the first 180 and I got a bit overexcited I think. After that I went to bits in the second set, after that I went serious and stopped smiling so much."

"I knew I had to really concentrate, you get into the Ally Pally and the crowd and got carried away. It's special when you drive up the hill and see the Alexandra Palace, the butterflies are in your stomach."

"I need a little bit of improving on my doubles, if they go in like they usually do who knows where it could go."

He spoke about Littler and how he was told about him by some fans prior to them being played in a bit of an omen prior to their tie.

"I had a chance and I got my own back in the Euro finals. He's fantastic. I love to watch him. You knew there was a buzz in the air, you knew it was going to be fantastic. When I was at the World Matchplay last year some people were in the kebab shop next door to the hotel and they said watch out for Luke Littler. I'd not really heard of him but the buzz was growing. I knew I was in for a game. He's a special talent."