Might Luke Littler’s brilliance eventually prove bad for darts?

The 17-year-old could reign supreme for years but at some point his unassailability risks dulling the sport’s edges

Luke Littler kisses The Sid Waddell Trophy after winning the Paddy Power World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, London. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire. 

You know what? I reckon this is the year Luke Littler could finally be ready for the Premier League. Obviously we all still want to wrap him up in cotton wool. Obviously we’re all still deeply concerned about how the attention and pressure could affect his game. But my bet – if the evidence of the last 12 months is any guide – is that he might just be able to handle it.

Premier League champion, Grand Slam champion, a slew of victories across eight different countries in the Pro Tour, the European Tour and the World Series. Nine-dart finishes falling out of his sleeves. Had he not also gone on to win his first world championship at the age of 17, we would still be toasting one of the most remarkable full debut seasons ever seen in the sport’s professional era.