- Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, 16, has taken the PDC World Championships by storm
- The Cheshire teenage sensation is competing in the tournament for the first time
- Littler demolished Matt Campbell in the third round Championships at Ally Pally
Luke Littler made history as the 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to reach the last-16 of the PDC World Championships.
The kebab-loving teenager showed no nerves as he raced into a two-set lead, both won to love, against Canadian opponent Matt Campbell.
Littler has been the story of the tournament so far and while Campbell was able to prevent a whitewash, taking a set for 3-1, Littler held his nerve with some clinical finishes to reach the fourth round.
The teenager, who was greeted by chants of ‘you’ve got school in the morning’ as he walked to the stage, was loving the crowd and now awaits a mouthwatering clash with one of the sport’s heavyweights.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ the Warrington native said.
‘I only wanted to win one game and I’ve won three and battled through it. I’m so happy.’
![Luke Littler made darts history as the youngest player ever to reach PDC World Championships last-16 after the 16-year-old defeated Canada's Matt Campbell on Wednesday evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/20/79379947-12904643-image-a-10_1703709180086.jpg)
Luke Littler made darts history as the youngest player ever to reach PDC World Championships last-16 after the 16-year-old defeated Canada’s Matt Campbell on Wednesday evening
![Littler, 16, claimed the first six legs of the third round match to storm into a two set lead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/19/79378089-12904643-image-a-17_1703705874735.jpg)
Littler, 16, claimed the first six legs of the third round match to storm into a two set lead
![The 16-year-old notoriously celebrated his opening win with a kebab and his second with a chicken burger. After beating Campbell he promised the crowd he would have another kebab](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/20/79366621-12904643-The_16_year_old_notoriously_celebrated_his_opening_win_with_a_ke-a-2_1703708310979.jpg)
The 16-year-old notoriously celebrated his opening win with a kebab and his second with a chicken burger. After beating Campbell he promised the crowd he would have another kebab
The partisan crowd in north London roared at every successful check out from Littler – his most impressive being a 164 – and he thanked them for their support.
‘I wanted them back [over Christmas]. I was watching my highlights every day [over the break],’ he added.
He was then asked if another kebab was in store to celebrate – it has become his meal of choice throughout the tournament – he turned to the crowd.
‘Who wants to see me get another kebab?’ Littler said, followed by a huge roar. ‘There we go then.’
He will now face one of former world champion Raymond Van Barneveld or Wales’ Jim Williams.
![Littler was quick to celebrate with family and friends after cruising into the next round](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/20/79380721-12904643-image-a-8_1703710414927.jpg)
Littler was quick to celebrate with family and friends after cruising into the next round
![Littler has been the story of the tournament so far and has guaranteed £35,000 prize money](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/20/79379949-12904643-image-a-11_1703709190079.jpg)
Littler has been the story of the tournament so far and has guaranteed £35,000 prize money
The World Youth champion broke in the opening leg of the contest and was quick to record his first maximum of the contest on route to the first set.
Littler’s ruthless performance continued as the sensation won six legs on the spin to take a two set advantage as he closed in on a last-16 place. From there he took the third and missed bullseye to seal a whitewash, but showed no sign of panic.
Former BDO world champion Glen Durrant, speaking on Sky Sports, hailed Littler’s performance in the opening stages of the contest as ‘very special’
‘He is absolutely generational,’ Durrant said of the debutant.
‘Michael van Gerwen was winning competitions and the BDO at that age.
‘But to be doing it on this stage, you are watching something very special.’
![On Christmas Day however Littler was the picture of a normal teenager opening his presents](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/27/20/79366609-12904643-On_Christmas_Day_however_Littler_was_the_picture_of_a_normal_tee-a-3_1703709106276.jpg)
On Christmas Day however Littler was the picture of a normal teenager opening his presents
Victory means Littler has guaranteed himself £35,000 in prize money, with quarter-finalists at the storied competition earning £50,000 if they’re sent home before the final four.
From there, the guaranteed prize money doubles to £100,000, and finalists will scoop a £200,000 prize as a consolation for missing out on the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.
The winner of the world championship is a line for a staggering payday of £500,000, which has been the total prize money for the last four years.