Phil Taylor backs 16-year-old Luke Littler to make Ally Pally history and win World Darts Championship

Phil Taylor backs 16-year-old Luke Littler to make Ally Pally history and win World Darts Championship

Watch now: Phil Taylor speaking to GB News

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/12/2023

- 13:28

EXCLUSIVE: Phil Taylor has told GB News he believes Luke Littler can go all the way and win this year's World Darts Championship.

Luke Littler has set the world of darts alight this week at Alexandra Palace and Phil 'The Power' Taylor has tipped the 16-year-old sensation to go all the way at the World Darts Championship.

Anybody - of any age - has experienced nerves like never before when stepping up to the famous oche for the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time.


But Littler showed no signs the occasion was going to get on top of him on his debut, thrashing former Lakeside world champion Christian Kist 3-0 and finishing with a tournament-high average of 106.12.

He's the second-youngest person to win a match at the tournament and the records look set to tumble with dart finding its next superstar.

Phil Taylor has tipped Luke Littler to win this year's competition

Phil Taylor has tipped Luke Littler to win this year's competition

PA

Taylor was being told "wait until you see this young lad" by those close to him having been blissfully unaware of Littler's talents on the youth circuit.

But as soon as the darts legend began to watch Littler's game, he was completely sold on the teenager being the sport's next star and loved every minute of his Alexandra Palace debut.

"He was brilliant. And I love it," Taylor exclusively told GB News.

"I mean, the crowd were right with him, weren't they saying 'you've got school in the morning'!

"It was brilliant. He's 16 years old and he's got a chance here to make himself £500,000. I think he's absolutely brilliant."

The Power doesn't think Littler, who has gone from 50-1 to 12-1 to win the tournament, "feels the pressure" and is taking everything in his stride.

Taylor knows better than most how to handle himself on the big stage having won a record 16 world titles.

The 63-year-old lists two main attributes necessary in a darts player to become a world champion - having the belief and dedication.

And Taylor is under no doubt that Littler has plenty of both in his locker to go all the way and win this year's championship.

Luke Littler is tipped as the next darts superstar

Luke Littler is tipped as the next darts superstar

PA

"I can see he's dedicated. And I can also see he's got that look in his eye that he wants to win, which is the two things that you definitely need.

"Obviously, you've gotta be dedicated. And secondly, you've got to know in your mind that you can actually go and win the tournament.

"And I honestly believe he thinks that he can go and win the tournament and I totally agree with him."

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Luke Littler comfortably won his opening match

Luke Littler comfortably won his opening match

PA

Littler is back in action this evening against compatriot Andrew Gilding in his bid to stay in the tournament after Christmas.

Making it through to the third round would see the teenager pocket a guaranteed £25,000 payday.

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