Littler’s life since mid-December has been the stuff of dreams for most sports-mad teens.

He’s had Premier League footballers asking him for photos, met Sir Alex Ferguson and other Manchester United heroes and received messages from David Beckham.

He got to speak to United boss Erik ten Hag and played darts at the Red Devils’ training ground with Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen.

He has more than 1.2million followers on Instagram and another 178,000-plus on X.

“He’s modest and intelligent enough to understand he’s in a fortunate position and he’s grateful for those opportunities – but he’s earned them,” added Porter.

Porter says Littler doesn’t get “starry-eyed or star-struck” – which is apparent to anyone who has seen him play.

Just a few months into life as a professional, he’s already beaten virtually all of the game’s top names.

“When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobil – this guy is something else, he’s on another level,” ex-world champion Raymond van Barneveld told Sky Sports after his World Championship exit to Littler.

His world final defeat to Luke Humphries was Sky Sports’ biggest non-football peak – and largest darts audience – attracting 3.71 million viewers.

But it has not been all sunshine and roses. Littler’s showmanship on the oche has rubbed up the odd player the wrong way, with Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko accusing him of “arrogance” after an unconventional checkout route.

That is a verdict Foulds firmly rejects.

“It’s just the way he is – he just enjoys playing darts, it’s fun for him, he loves entertaining,” Foulds said.

“You’ve got three darts in your hand, it’s up to you which way you go. There’s no right or wrong way.”