"Is there a better time to be in darts?" Scott Mitchell lauds Luke Littler effect after World Seniors opener

After winning his first round match 3-1 against Matt Clark in the World Seniors Championship, Scott Mitchell has heaped praise on Luke Littler and the blanket coverage darts now has.

While continuing to keep darts as just a hobby, Mitchell was delighted with his win against an opponent he knows very well, and with opportunities opening up with darts receiving more attention in the media, he hopes for a successful year ahead.

Speaking to TungstenTales, he said: "Darts is massive at the moment. We don't like to mention it but the Luke Littler effect...OMG. I've known Luke since he was 10. Is there a better time to be in darts?

"Luke is great, the darts is great and as a sport we're covered. We've got the youth covered, we've got disability darts covered, we've got women's darts covered and everything else - development tour, JDC."

Reflecting on the sport, Mitchell has been blown away by the rise in competitions for different age ranges, women and people with disabilities.

He added: "England Darts Organisation are running a youth thing and when I was a kid there was none of that. There would have none of the Luke Littlers because it was an old man's game when I played. To get to where we are is madness."

Mitchell will now play Lisa Ashton in the last 16 on Saturday at the Circus Tavern.