Luke Littler has been warned he faces a 'shock to the system' after his World Darts Championship final defeat.
Former champion John Part says the 16-year-old has been 'spoiled by all the attention' he has received in recent weeks but insists that won't last forever.
Littler upset all the odds by becoming the youngest player to reach the final of the tournament at Alexandra Palace.
The kebab-loving teen overcame former world champions before falling at the final hurdle against new world No 1 Luke Humphries.
Luke Littler has been warned following his World Darts Championship final loss
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Littler had the crowd on his side in every match he played, with some boos heard for fellow Englishmen Rob Cross and Humphries during their walk-ons this week.
The youngster will now be on the Pro Tour and European Tour, while he waits to see if he is included in the Premier League.
But three-time champ Part has sent a word of warning, insisting that the teenager will soon realise the world of darts is not all glitz and glamour.
Littler has enjoyed plenty of media attention in recent weeks but that will die down at less high-profile events.
Part said on Sky Sports: "It's going to be a bit of a shock to his system when he [Littler] goes back to the behind-closed-doors tour environment after being spoiled by all this attention.
"I know he's done a lot of that just to get here, with the development tour and youth championships, but it's going to be a new grind for him.
"Littler will be a feather in people's cap if they can beat him."
Part was amazed by Littler's performance at Ally Pally and insists he has a huge future ahead of him.
The Canadian added: "He [Littler] played a really good match and had one really pivotal point with the missed double two.
"But he played great throughout the whole tournament and in the final.
"He didn't win it and has got to look forward now.
"He's so pragmatic and has such an understanding of the game.
"You can tell he absorbs a lot watching and learning from the top pros and he's ready to handle it himself now."
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Luke Littler has received plenty of attention in recent weeks
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Humphries came from 4-2 down to win the next five sets and triumph at the World Championship for the first time.
He showed his class after the victory, pointing to Littler's quality on the oche and behaviour away from the board.
The 28-year-old said: "I'm not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke has been an unbelievable talent.
"Not just about the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well.
"He said go on and celebrate. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him who is just something else.
Luke Humphries hailed Luke Littler after his World Darts Championship win
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"I really hope he's in the Premier League because, if he don't want to play in it fair enough, but I think he'd be a pleasure to play alongside this year.
"He's one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that."
