WRIGHT: SUCK IT UP LITTLER!

PETER WRIGHT sunk his ‘Snakebite’ fangs into the Luke Littler bandwagon and warned there can be no “babysitting” the boy wonder.

Two-time world champion Wright (above) does not believe the 17-year-old sensation should be afforded any special privileges after joining the BETMGM Premier League cast.

And he said of Littler (below) accepting his invitation to join the punishing 17-week circus in seven different countries: “You are joining the hardest darts thing you can play in – so he’s got to deal with it.”

Wright, distracted by health issues away from the oche, endured a difficult 2023 until he won the European Championship in Dortmund last October.

He is a big fan of the bumper viewing figures and sponsorship Littler has attracted to the sport since his fairy-tale run to the PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace and subsequent invitation to the Premier League.

But Wright warned: “He’s 17 and it was his choice, and his manager’s choice, to come into the Premier League so there should be no arm around anyone.

“Obviously Luke Humphries is not going to get it even though it is his first Premier League – as soon as he starts getting beaten up on the floor and the Premier League, no one is going to hold him and make sure he’s all right. I don’t think Luke Littler should be babysat. You are into the hardest darts thing you can play in, so he’s got to deal with it.

“Look, Luke has inspired me and what he’s done for the game, all the press, sponsors. It’s fantastic for the darts.

“It’s also fantastic for all the young players to be inspired. You haven’t got to be 50-odd years old to go and be a world champion. It’s given belief to all the kids.”

Wright, who will be 54 next month, insists he is on the way back after his lean year, saying:

“The hunger is there more than ever.

“The last couple of years I’ve just been turning up like a zombie and going through the motions but obviously I had stuff going on back at home.

“I could have quite easily said I’m not going to play anymore after the World Championship – I could have retired and finished.

“But the only place I am going is up. I like it when I’m being written off, I always have done.

“I’ve got to start again, the slate is clean.

“I’m going to stick with the same set of darts all year. I’ve changed my position on the oche where I stand. So it’s all a new toy that I’m playing with.

“I’m looking forward to it, hopefully you’ll see a different Snakebite up there playing and hopefully getting a few results.”