Luke Littler branded 'gift from the gods' and compared to forgotten darts world champion

EXCLUSIVE: One-time darts world champion Dennis Priestley has hailed the coming of Luke Littler as just what the sport needed at a time when bosses are looking to drive interest

Former darts world champion Dennis Priestley has hailed emerging superpower Luke Littler as a "gift from the gods."

The teenager's emergence at last year's World Darts Championship could hardly have been better timed as organisers looked to jump-start a sport stagnating in interest. PDC supremo Barry Hearn has been hard at work attempting to get more eyes on darts' major events, with certain tournaments even touted to follow snooker's lead by moving to other countries like Saudi Arabia.

But the sport received a welcome shot in the arm when Littler took the world by storm on the back of his runner-up finish at Alexandra Palace. And 'The Menace' - who won the inaugural PDC World Darts Championship in 1994 - spared no expense describing the 17-year-old's impact on the darts landscape.

"I met up with Barry Hearn last December, and I said, 'Barry, this young Luke Littler has been a gift from the gods,'" Priestley told The Mirror, in partnership with Boyle Sports. "Coming at the right time with Phil Taylor retiring [and] Luke Humphries hitting the scene."

Sixteen-time world champion Taylor reigned for roughly 20 years as the dominant force in the sport. And Littler appears to be the first candidate with a genuine chance at rivalling his sustained success - though many don't believe 'The Power' will ever see his World Championship tally equalled.

He isn't the only one contributing to darts entering a new age, however, as Priestley highlighted other pioneers of the current generation. And the 74-year-old even likened Littler's style of play to one of Taylor's former proteges.

"It's really nice on the eye to watch Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, with that smooth, flowing style," he continued.. "I suppose Adrian Lewis was one of the youngsters who came through first throwing like that."

Like Taylor, Lewis was born in Stoke-on-Trent and studied under the darting great before branching out on his own. 'Jackpot' won back-to-back World Darts Championship crowns in 2011 and 2012 - but he has since reached the final just once more and has struggled to compete at the top level in recent years.

Lewis was once hailed as a prodigy himself but was 25 when he clinched his first world title, putting into context just how special a talent Littler is. And after winning the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts, fans are waiting with bated breath to see if Littler can get over the finish line at Ally Pally come January.

When asked if 'The Nuke' will sustain his current rate of success, Priestley replied: "Well that's the million dollar question, isn't it? How long can he keep there until his confidence goes, or his [desire] for winning titles. He's got the whole world in front of him. He can be whatever he wants to be."

Lewis - now 39 - has confessed to taking breaks from darts over the years in order to look after his mental health. The former title contender said he was stepping away from PDC competitions in 2023 and is more focused on his fishing at present.

Gary Anderson - who is tipped among the favourites for the 2024 World Darts Championship - has warned fans against putting too much pressure on Littler at such an early age. 'The Flying Scotsman' has spoken out in support of the youngster out of concern he could suffer from burnout.

Current form suggests there's no immediate risk of that, however, after The Nuke has consistently proved his worth against the world's finest this year. The teenager earned his revenge over world champion Humphries in the Premier League final but has since suffered another costly defeat in the Players Championship decider in November.

With a potential 30 years in darts ahead of him, Littler already looks like the champion darts needed and the one man - or boy - capable of eclipsing Taylor's achievements at the oche. And that journey could start in earnest this month if he's able to withstand the pressure and become the youngest world champion in darts history.

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