Luke Littler continues to receive £50 weekly allowance from his parents, according to Barry Hearn, despite amassing close to £2million in prize money and sitting atop the world rankings.
The 18-year-old from Warrington has taken the sport by storm since making his debut two years ago, claiming nine major titles along the way.
Yet, according to Matchroom president Barry Hearn, the young champion's family keeps him firmly rooted in reality through the traditional pocket-money arrangement.
Hearn, the former PDC chairman, has been vocal in his admiration for how Littler has handled his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of professional darts.
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Speaking to The Times, Hearn reflected on the teenager's remarkable transformation, stating: "They always say never work with children or animals, but watching Littler evolve, he's a different beast to the one who stepped on that stage at 16. He's got so much confidence."
The Matchroom chief noted that constant public attention has done nothing to derail the young star's focus.
Hearn said: "This kid can't go for a pint with his mates, go to a restaurant without the world bugging him and that's quite something to come to terms with, but his performance hasn't been affected by that. He's stayed grounded.
"He's bought his mum and dad a five-bedroom house in the country, but last time I spoke to him he still gets 50 quid a week pocket money."
Luke Littler continues to receive £50 weekly allowance from his parents
|GETTY
Littler enters this month's World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace as the bookmakers' favourite, having contested the previous two finals and lifted the trophy there last year.
His 2025 campaign has been nothing short of exceptional, with victories at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship and UK Open adding to his growing collection of silverware.
The Warrington thrower has captivated audiences not merely through winning but through his distinctive approach, delighting crowds with unconventional checkout routes and consistently impressive scoring throughout his matches.
Hearn also highlighted the teenager's playful approach to the oche, revealing that Littler sometimes opts for unconventional finishes purely for entertainment.
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Luke Littler became world champion earlier this year and is the hot favourite to defend his title | PAHearn explained: "He's got a sense of humour too. He checks out different things just to f*** people's minds up, I've seen him have three darts at 50 and take out the bull first time."
The Matchroom president acknowledged that such showmanship might not sit well with traditionalists but noted Littler simply finds it amusing.
Hearn pointed to the youngster's signature double-double finishes as evidence he is reshaping how the game is played, with other players now emulating his techniques.
Hearn said: "The kid is getting better, more consistent and he's going to break all records."
Luke Littler is officially the world No.1 in darts
| PAAt just 18 years old, Littler will return to defend the title he won in January 2025, when he became the youngest world champion in history.
His primary rival and the 2024 champion, Luke Humphries, is the second favourite and the only player on the planet to hold a strong head-to-head record against Littler.
The championship is the largest yet, with a record 128 players battling for a share of the substantial prize pot, with the winner taking home £1 million.
The Warrington thrower was seen in the Manchester United end for their away fixture on Monday evening, taking in the Red Devils' comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Wolves at Molineux.
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