Luke Littler’s fondness for a doner has ensured a roaring trade at his local takeaway but now the teenage darts sensation will never need to put his hand in his pocket after being offered free kebabs for life at Warrington’s Hot Spot.
The owners have already named Littler’s regular kebab wrap of doner meat, lettuce, onions and mayonnaise after him. “Whenever he comes back to Warrington, he tends to order the ‘Luke The Nuke Wrap’,” said the manager Hamido, who prefers not to use his surname, and also runs a barber’s shop.
“We just call it the ‘Luke Wrap’ because we’re so used to making it for him. It’s every day, or most days, when he’s at home and not abroad competing. He’s a top lad and hopefully he’ll be coming back for some free haircuts and kebabs. That’s free for life, no doubt.
“We’ve said from day one, he’s going to be a world champion and he still will be. What he’s done at the age of 16 is incredible.”
Littler picked up a life-changing £200,000 and has became a household name but more than anything now he wants to spend more time with his Xbox. The 16-year-old became the youngest world championship finalist on his debut at Alexandra Palace, losing to the world No 1, Luke Humphries, on Wednesday, but told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I didn’t bring it because I didn’t think I would get to the final. I only practice for half an hour a day, because I get bored and have my Xbox next to me.”
The youngster had to hit the double two for a 5-2 set lead in a final that was decided by the first to seven but narrowly missed. Humphries immediately hit double 14 to take that set before going on to win the match 7-4. Littler said: “I took out a 122 beforehand and my mind went blank and I had to stop my rhythm and I just lost it. I think the more you play, you know what you go for, what you set up and what you finish. You get used to it.”
Littler said he did not believe the hype from his Alexandra Palace exploits to result in more pressure from those close to him. “I’ll take the experience,” he said. “I’ve got the fans, all the fans that have gathered around me. It’s crazy, it’s non-stop. They chant me, the other Luke, they do all sorts. It’s non-stop but you’ve got to get on with it. I’ve got a good manager and family who don’t put any pressure on me.”
He was full of praise for Humphries and said: “He’s just a top guy. There is a picture from five years ago when we played at a competition and he beat me, but all respect to him. He’s still on a 19-win streak and won the last four majors. Hopefully I can stop the streak somewhere.”
Meanwhile, he wants to inspire fellow youngsters to take up the game. The performances over the past fortnight by the teenager from Warrington have transcended the world of darts and Littler, who left school with one GCSE in the summer, wants to be an inspiration to other kids. “I hope I have caught lots of young people’s minds to get on a board and just try it out. If they don’t like it that’s fine but I’d advise them to give it a go because it is a good sport and once you get into it you’ll always love it.
“I have just got to be myself and be the Luke Littler I have been here for the last three to four weeks. It has changed me a lot, I have broke into the top 32, I have got a bit of money now, which is going to help. Getting into the top 32 will definitely help me qualify for pretty much every event in the year. It’s a losing start to the year, but it is also a good start to the year.”
