Gerywn Price claims Luke Littler's rise to stardom is the 'kick up the backside' darts needed.
The former world champion has hailed the teenager's start on the professional tour and revealed what he is like backstage.
Littler has already beaten Price on two occasions, in the semi-final of both the Bahrain Masters and the Dutch Darts Masters.
He won the final in Bahrain against Michael van Gerwen before the Dutchman got revenge in his home country a week later.
Gerwyn Price has given his opinion on Luke Littler's rise to darts stardom
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Littler became a household name with his record-breaking run at the World Darts Championship but he has proven since that it was no fluke.
He will begin his maiden Premier League campaign in Cardiff on Thursday, taking on world champion Luke Humphries.
Price knows first-hand the difficulties of playing Littler, having lost 7-3 and 7-4 in their two recent meetings.
He believes the 17-year-old will bring nothing but positivity to the sport.
Price told the Love The Darts podcast: "I think it's brilliant. Don't get me wrong, it is added pressure when you're playing him and he plays well every single time.
"I think he's brilliant for darts, he's a good youngster, he's down to earth.
"I think at this moment in time he's probably what darts needed as well, a little kick up the backside to get more people interested and motivated to watch.
"I think he's fantastic, I think he's brilliant."
Podcast host Emma Paton then told Price that Littler was playing video games before his semi-final in the Netherlands.
He said he has a similar technique to relax himself and claimed Littler doesn't mix much with his fellow players backstage.
Price replied: "I didn't actually know he did that but if he did, fair play to him!
"I'm usually just sat there on my snooker game, I'm pretty similar to a certain extent.
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Gerwyn Price says Luke Littler doesn't mix with many players backstage
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"I just love the way he is around the practice room, he doesn't really engage with players, he keeps himself to himself and just gets up there and plays darts and plays darts well.
"So yeah he's brilliant, but I will beat him soon!"
Littler's opening game at the Premier League will be a rematch against Humphries.
He beat Humphries in the Netherlands last week in their first match since the World Championship final but insists the pressure is on his opponent ahead of the trip to Cardiff.
Luke Littler is preparing for his debut at the Premier League on Thursday
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Littler said: "[Humphries] has been unbelievable. That is why he has won a world title and why he went on a 20-game winning streak.
"So now he's the man to beat - and all the focus will be coming on to him.
"Hopefully the World Championship won't be the last time we meet in a major final - and if it is me and Luke in every final, that would still be good.
"But you still have all those dangerous players out there - Michael Smith, Gezzy (Price) and Michael van Gerwen - and it's going to be gruelling."
