Darts star Luke Humphries has admitted he's worried about the media attention surrounding Luke Littler.
The teenager is through to the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship after cruising to victory over Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night.
Littler has been outstanding so far, with the 16-year-old dreaming of going all the way at Alexandra Palace.
Yet Humphries has fired a warning, insisting the media 'need to let him play' while backing comments from Gary Anderson.
Darts star Luke Humphries wants the media to 'let Luke Littler play'
PA
"Luke is an amazing talent, just incredible he really is," he said.
"I feel like he could just keep doing it for 10 hours straight which is so impressive.
"Gary is right, the media need to let him play."
Humphries is eyeing a crack at WDC glory himself, having beaten Lee Evans 3-0 to make the last eight of the competition.
Reacting to his win, he said: "I can't keep doing it [coming back to win] though.
"You know it'll only take me so far if I don't start getting in leads and stuff.
"I keep allowing myself to be behind, I'll get found out."
Next up for Humphries is Dave Chisnall.
And it's a clash the 28-year-old can't wait for, admitting they're close friends away from the oche.
"Me and Chizzy are really close mates," he admitted.
"We really get on well and he's had the better of me a lot this year.
"But the last time we played each other I hadn't won a major title, now I've won three so that might stand me in a bit more good stead."
Littler, meanwhile, admitted he was stunned after beating Van Barneveld on Saturday night - having grown up idolising the Dutchman.
"Unbelievable. I just… I dunno what to say," he said.
"I went 2-0 up, I went 3-0 up, then I said to my family, 'Three legs away and I’m over the line.'
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Luke Littler was too strong for Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship on Saturday night
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"And… I’ve done it.
"At the end he said, 'You can go all the way, I hope you go all the way' and he said 'thank you'.
"He’s a true gentleman, Raymond, and I respect him very well."
When asked if he'd pictured himself lifting the trophy, Littler added: "No.
"I just looked at the draw and saw Brendan [Dolan], then either Chris Dobey, who has the same management, or Rob Cross.
Luke Littler is the talk of the darts world after his electric win over Raymond van Barneveld
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"I fancy myself, I do fancy myself.
"It’d be good if Chris and I could have a ZXF semi-final, but let’s just focus on Brendan.
"The crowd were unbelievable. They were singing Walking in a Littler Wonderland and Barney Army; they were on both our sides.
"I’m just so glad to get over the line. After I do all the media, I’ll see my family and chill out for a bit."
