Luke Littler has become a household name over the past 12 months and is now one win away from glory in the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship
Seventeen-year-old darting superstar Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has stormed his way into the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship final. The teen sportsman, from Warrington, outshone Stephen Bunting with a 6-1 victory in the semi-final, propelling him into a final showdown against three-time champion Michael van Gerwen.
Yet, ahead of that clash, Good Morning Britain’s Adil Ray controversially poked fun at Littler’s physique. According to the Daily Star, he recently said: “I’m a little bit worried about Littler. He’s 17 and he’s turning into the look of a darts player.”
In another health-conscious nudge, he added: “He’s going to get more successful and he can keep on doing it but I don’t want him to get too unhealthy… Just before the final. Here you go, I’ve got a salad for you from Pret!”
Littler grabbed attention at last year’s Ally Pally when pondering whether to indulge in another kebab during his route to the final. The Telegraph also previously revealed that omelettes and pizza were a big part of his pre-match routine, after he has slept in until around midday.
“It is what I have been doing every day – if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” he said at the time, before adding later: “I just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck on the board and go to bed, that’s it.”
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Nonetheless, the Daily Star suggests that Littler has recently vowed to switch up his diet for the better. “It’s not seen as a good thing [fast food]. Darts players get what we want [food wise], really,” he said.
“My manager said ‘When you finish it could be 11 or 12, it’s all fast food’. So I’ve got to look after myself, eat before I play. When I’ve finished, even if I stay up to whenever, I just won’t eat. This is my new way of living.”
Littler will take on Van Gerwen later today at 8.30pm GMT.