Luke Littler’s first coach has admitted he is surprised by the incredible progress the darts superstar has made this year ahead of the BBC Sports Personality awards next week.

Littler could become the first ever darts player to win the prestigious prize after Phil Taylor could only pick up second prize 14 years ago.

And coach Karl Holden of St Helens Darts has watched Littler’s 2024 rise with interest. He has won ten trophies over the course of the year, including a PDC Premier League title.

Holden said: “He’s overachieved every year since he was ten so every year, he surprises me how good he has got but his progress [this year] is just incredible.

“To be on that stage in front of millions of people watching you and wanting you to perform so they can cheer you on, the pressure on that is immense and he’s taken it all in his stride and he’s still getting better, he’s still improving in these last few months from last year.”

Littler, 17, has also received a nomination for Young Sports Personality after his successful year. Holden believes his age, alongside his talent, will make him stand out from other candidates.

“[To be] his age and what he’s done, he’s done a lot of good things. I don’t know anybody at the age of 16 or 17 that’s managed to achieve what he’s done,” said Holden.

Just last year, the reigning Premier League Darts, Grand Slam and World Series Finals champion was ranked 164th in the world before catapulting himself to fame. Now he is chasing a first world title after narrowly missing out to Luke Humphries in last year’s final.

Now, his earnings for the year have surpassed £1m and he is also on track to break the record for the most 180s in a season.

The PDC Champion could also follow Andy Murray becoming the second person to have won both the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Holden is certain that Littler will make an impression at this year’s award show, taking place on the 17th December.

He said: “In a nutshell he has done something no other sports person has done, for me he’s done so much for the community plus won more than anyone else over the last twelve months.

“He can certainly win [Sports Personality], he must finish at least in the top three because of what he’s done, he’s got so many more people playing the sport worldwide, not just in the UK.

“He’s got people in loads of different countries especially in Europe, in Germany they absolutely love him now and no one’s ever really done that.”

Before the show next Tuesday, Littler will be focussed on his opening World Darts Championship game against either Ryan Meikle or Fallon Sherrock on Saturday evening.

 

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