Tearful Littler

LUKE LITTLER broke down in tears and cut short a TV interview due to emotion – after he almost hit his first Ally Pally nine-darter.

The Nuke was so overcome by what he had done following his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship that he was lost for words.

Minutes after he had missed out on achieving the perfect leg in the fourth set, the tournament favourite was put in front of the Sky Sports camera.

Littler, 17, said “I started off dead slow…” to reporter Abigail Davies but then stopped talking and had to walk away to wipe away his tears.

Saturday’s results

Afternoon Session

First round

Karel Sedlacek 0-3 Rhys Griffin

Richard Veenstra 0-3 Alexis Toylo

Second round

Brendan Dolan 3-0 Lok Yin Lee

Chris Dobey 3-1 Alexander Merkx

Evening Session

Second round

Danny Noppert 1-3 Ryan Joyce

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 Nick Kenny

Luke Littler 3-1 Ryan Meikle

Damon Heta 3-1 Connor Scutt

Part on Littler’s pressure

Darts legend John Part has spoken about the pressure on Luke Littler’s shoulders, ahead of his World Darts Championship win.

He told Sky Sports:

I don’t think anyone can understand the pressure he’s under. Certainly nobody has had to deal with it at his age.

“I’m sure there’s so much relief for him. He can control that emotion and if he needs that time to himself after, then that’s fine.”

Littler reaction

Littler revealed his struggles to overcome his nerves.

It’s probably the first time it’s hit me.

“I needed [the last set] quite a lot. I don’t even want to remember it. No offence to Ryan. I’m going to try and get it out of my head.

“It’s been a lot to deal with. When [referee] George Noble said ‘game on’ I couldn’t do it.”