The incredible rise of Luke Littler

Born Jan 31 2007

Age 18 months (2008) A home video of the prodigy from Warrington shows the toddler throwing darts at a magnetic board bought by his father Anthony Buckley, 43, from a pound shop.

Five years old (2012) He progressed to tungsten darts on a board slightly lowered to accommodate his height.

Six years (2012) He scores his first perfect 180.

Eight years (2015) He now trains according to the game’s strict regulations, throwing from 237cm away at a board 173cm from bullseye to the ground.

10 years (2017) Luke’s coaches at St Helen Darts Academy take note of the boy’s ability.

12 years (2019) Luke wins the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019. However, he loses to future World Championship rival Luke Humphries at a darts tournament match on Hayling Island, Hampshire.

13 years (2020) Lockdown hits and Luke spends hours each day honing his skills against his older brother, Leon.

14 years (2021) He becomes the England Youth Open champion and wins his first senior title at the Irish Open later that year.

15 years (2022) Littler wins the Junior Darts Corporation Super 16 in Milton Keynes beating Eleanor Cairns in the final before winning the youth competition at the Isle Of Man Open. At the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship, he wins his first match against Ben Hazel 3-2 in sets but is then beaten 0-3 in sets by Richard Veenstra.

16 years (2023) Leaves his school Padgate Academy in the summer and becomes the youngest player to reach the World Darts Championships final at Alexandra Palace.