Prodigy’s girlfriend ‘not in it for the money’
LUKE LITTLER’S girlfriend is not with him for the money, her family has insisted as online trolls accused her of being a “gold-digger”.
The 16-year-old darts sensation became the youngest player ever to compete in the final of the world championship yesterday evening, after beating 33-year-old Rob Cross in the semi-final.
His girlfriend of six weeks, 21-yearold Eloise Milburn, was set to be among those cheering him on at Alexandra Palace, London.
Ms Milburn, a fellow darts player from Hersham, Surrey, who competes for her county women’s team, has faced accusations from online trolls since the relationship emerged that she is only with Littler for his prize money and fame.
Littler has earned £200,000 from competing in the tournament so far, and would pocket another £500,000 with a win in the final.
Ms Milburn’s mother has called claims that her daughter is a “money-grabber” as untrue and “disgusting”.
Amanda Milburn, 56, told Mailonline: “There’s been a lot of horrible stuff being posted online about my daughter.
My husband Phil and I are very angry about it. Eloise has been accused of all sorts and that she’s only with Luke because of his money and fame. But that’s a total pack of lies and disgusting.
“She’s not with him for any of these reasons. She doesn’t care about his money or his fame, she’s with him because she likes him. It’s as simple as that.”
Mrs Milburn added: “It’s really hurtful when we read these comments, many of them from so-called darts fans. My daughter is none of these things that these vile people are making out.”
Littler met Ms Milburn while playing the Xbox football game Fifa. On Monday, the couple went public with their romance by kissing on television after the teenager’s quarter-final victory.
Mrs Milburn also revealed that she has not yet met Littler and that her daughter has said it is still too early for her family to be introduced to him.