Connect with us

Published

on

Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler swept aside darting great Michael van Gerwen last night to become the youngest World Darts champion ever.

The teenage sensation made it look easy in the final at Alexandra Palace, beating the three-time world champion 7-3.

To add insult to injury, he also stole the Dutchman’s record as youngest ever world champ with seven years to spare – van Gerwen was 24 when he first won it.

The extraordinary victory comes off the back of an equally impressive 12 months for Littler which saw him win 10 trophies in his first pro season.

Pic: PA
Image:
Littler holds his trophy after dispatching van Gerwen. Pic: PA

The teen has fast become one of the sport’s biggest names and is now world number two – but how did he get here?

Here’s everything you need to know about the darting prodigy and his meteoric rise – from learning to play in nappies as a toddler to building new rivalries.

Playing darts at 18 months old

He may only be a teenager but Littler, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been practising his throwing for some time.

He previously told Sky News: “There’s a video on YouTube of me when I was 18 months in a nappy listening to Raymond van Barneveld’s music, listening to Phil Taylor’s music, doing their celebrations.

“That’s when it started – 18 months and in a nappy on a magnetic board.

“[Aged] four or five I was on a proper board but it was a bit low and then about seven to eight, that’s when I started playing [at] the proper height and the proper length. So it’s just been all darts in my life so far.”

Talent is one thing, but having the right support system to nurture it is just as important.

The teen clearly thinks a lot of his parents, who he said were “proud” of what he had achieved.

All eyes were on the teenager as he walked out for the match. Pic: PA
Image:
All eyes were on the teenager as he walked out for the semi-final. Pic: PA

“They just can’t believe [it], I can’t believe it myself,” he told Sky News during the world championships last year.

“But it’s just good to have a set of parents who are supportive and that are always there for me and I’ve got a good management team around me. So it’s just the best group of people that can be around me, to be honest.”

For coaches and friends who watched Littler play at St Helens Darts Academy in his early years, his rapid rise in the professional game is no surprise.

“He was averaging stupid averages that you should be [getting at] like 16 to 20 years old, but he was doing it at 10,” his former coach Karl Holden told Sky News.

“He was special then,” he added.

Eleanor Cairns, a fellow darts player who has known the 17-year-old for five years, told Sky News Littler has got a “natural throw” and showed natural talent “from the start”.

But she believes his success comes down to far more than just being gifted.

“I know he does a lot of practice for the competitions,” Ms Cairns said.

“Luke never really stops playing darts throughout the week either, so he’s definitely always throwing. It does take a lot, but I know he’s worked hard for it.”

His career so far

It was his remarkable run to the 2023/24 world championship final which made Littler a household name, but his talent had been evident for some time.

He won the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019, became England Youth Open champion in 2021 and won his first senior title at the Irish Open later that year.

He won the Welsh Open in 2022 and in 2023 notched further senior titles at the Isle of Man Classic, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Classic.

He was also back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion.

Read more:
More young footballers favour Middle East move
Neil Young to headline Glastonbury

Avid darts fans already knew of the rising star, but his unprecedented run in the 2023/24 World Darts Championship aged just 16 made him an instant celebrity.

The teenager beat three former world champions on his journey to the final – defeating Christian Kist in his opening game before overcoming one of his heroes, the five-time world champion and darts legend Raymond van Barneveld, to reach the quarter-finals.

Brendan Dolan was next, then he defeated the 2018 champion Rob Cross in the semi-final to earn his place in a historic final against then world number one Luke Humphries.

A valiant performance saw the then 16-year-old produce more of the spectacular darts that inspired his run to the final as he moved into a 4-2 lead, but Humphries fought back to win 7-4.

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler was denied a fairytale victory at the World Darts Championship after defeat to Luke Humphries in the final.

The 16-year-old produced more of the spectacular darts that inspired his run to the final, as he moved into a 4-2 lead, but world number one Humphries fought back to win 7-4 and take the title.

Littler will still take home £200,000 following his incredible run to the final.
Image:
Littler after losing to Humphries last year

The loss did nothing to stunt Littler’s progress – and the experience would prove pivotal a year later.

2024 saw record-breaking success for Littler on the senior stage, seeing him become just the fourth player ever to win 10 trophies in a season, including the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Finals.

Even he cannot quite believe how much he has achieved in his debut year, crediting his early victory at the Bahrain Masters, in which he hit a nine-darter, with spurring him on.

“I just wanted to win a few Pro Tours, but obviously winning Bahrain, the World Series, and then it was just European Tours, Pro Tours, and just all the titles I’ve picked up. It just goes to show how well I’ve been playing,” he told Sky Sports News at the end of November.

“It was good to win Bahrain, the first tournament of 2024. I’ve put my hands on it and I just had to build from it there and that’s what I’ve done.”

It was clear well before the world championships began that he wasn’t settling for 10.

“I could potentially end the year on 11, couldn’t I? But yeah, I’ve set another record”, Littler said.

“I’ve put my name into the other players who have won 10 titles this year. But like I said, potentially it could be 11 by next year and I’ll try and break the record.

“I got the runner-up on my first go, but yeah, I’d like to win it… I think I can win it.”

Awards, fans and fame

Littler accepts BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. Pic: PA
Image:
Littler accepts BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. Pic: PA

Littler’s celebrity status has risen with every dart he’s thrown.

His Instagram account went from 4,000 followers at the start of last year’s tournament to over 450,000 by the final. Now it’s at 1.6 million.

Not only that – the teenager’s prize earnings have now topped £1.5m after yesterday’s win bagged him £500,000.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Littler talks fame during last world championships

His light-hearted interviews and extraordinary performances led to Littler being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 last month – he was beaten to the senior award by 800m runner Keely Hodgkinson.

Posting on X, Littler called the public’s recognition a “huge honour”.

“Support this year has been amazing and [I] want to say thank you to everyone who voted and sent messages,” he said.

The teenager admitted his life has drastically changed as a result of his success.

This time last year, he told Sky Sports his life had already changed.

“I’m doing interviews with Sky Sports. Usually I am up in the morning watching Sky Sports News. Now I am on the news. It’s all incredible. I am taking it all in my stride,” said Littler.

Now, he said it’s at a completely different level.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fans cheer on Littler before semi-final

Asked if he can walk down the street or go to the shop without being bothered, he laughed and told Sky Sports News: “Not really. Because it’s only a small town and you get spotted everywhere. But I don’t mind taking pictures and seeing all the fans.”

Growing rivalry with van Gerwen

Michael van Gerwen embraces Luke Littler after winning Premier League match in May. Pic: PA
Image:
Michael van Gerwen embraces Luke Littler after winning a Premier League match in May. Pic: PA

The 2025 final was the 13th match-up between the two biggest faces in darts, having won six each in various competitions in 2024.

The head-to-head looked even, but there was a stark contrast between the pair’s past 12 months; while Littler won 10 titles, his Dutch counterpart failed to win a televised tournament in a calendar year for the first time since 2011.

Still, an experienced pro like 35-year-old van Gerwen couldn’t be underestimated, and he was going into the final looking as much a threat as ever, having thrashed his semi-final opponent Chris Dobey 6-1.

He wasn’t just after his fourth world title – he was also looking to defend his record as youngest ever winner.

The 17-year-old hadn’t shied away from what breaking that record would mean.

“Well, I know Michael van Gerwen holds the youngest at 24, so I’ve got seven years,” Littler told Sky Sports News before the tournament.

“I could just slouch about for six years and then just win it when I’m 24.

“But no, I’d like to obviously win it before Michael won it. It’d mean everything. So to be the youngest, that’s definitely what I’d be looking for.”

Road to the 2024/25 final

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Littler’s road to the final

After being exempt from the first round due to being seeded, Littler started the Alexandra Palace tournament with a surprisingly tough bout against Ryan Meikle in round two, recovering from a slow start to dominate the closing stages of the contest, wrapping up a 3-1 victory.

Next up was Ian White in round three, who gave the teenager another scare, forcing a tight opening set before winning the second. But Littler kept a cool head to eventually see his opponent off with a 4-1 win.

Round four saw a 4-3 thriller between Littler and Ryan Joyce, where the favourite never trailed, but was pushed to the limit by his unseeded opponent as he was repeatedly pegged back.

Littler then hit form, hitting 15 maximums against Nathan Aspinall in a 5-2 quarter-final win before thrashing 39-year-old Stephen Bunting 6 sets to 1 to set up the dream van Gerwen finale.

Littler blows van Gerwen away

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Littler celebrates world championship victory. Pic: Reuters

What looked like a contest too close to call quickly became something of a whitewash.

Littler had the Ally Pally crowd firmly on his side and, with their support, got off to a blistering start, winning six out of the first seven legs and the second set with a mind-blowing 115.62 average to race into a 2-0 lead.

Before van Gerwen knew it the teenager was four sets up, with 12 legs won compared to just three for van Gerwen.

He was assured all night, repeatedly knocking in double 10 and double-top to heap pressure on the three-time champion.

The Dutchman staged a mini revival, snatching the fifth set, but Littler kept his cool to prevent his opponent from halving the deficit, swiftly restoring his four-set lead and making it 5-1.

Van Gerwen won the next set to make it 5-2, but Littler came back with a vengeance to breeze through the eighth set to put himself a set away from glory.

Littler’s esteemed rival hit back once again and broke the throw to put the score at 6-3, threatening a late surge.

With pressure high and the Ally Pally crowd at fever pitch, Littler showed his steel as the biggest moment of his career arrived and after picking up the first two legs of the 10th set, he took out two bullseyes and then, on his next visit, D16 to officially become the youngest ever world champion.

‘I can’t believe it!’

After showing composure far beyond his years throughout the night, Littler was instantly brought to tears in front of the screaming Ally Pally crowd.

“I can’t believe it! Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Littler said.

“We both played so well. I said in my interviews, I needed to get off to a quick start and that’s what I did.

“Michael was behind me the whole game. Those cover shots, when he would hit two trebles and I had to come back with two or three, he was right behind me the whole way through.

“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy but you have to get through a tough field.”

Van Gerwen was quick to congratulate Littler, calling him a “star”, though he was critical of his own performance, saying he didn’t do himself justice in the contest or play to the level he did in the rest of the tournament.

Pic: PA
Image:
van Gerwen reacts during his frustrating final performance. Pic: PA

“Every moment he got to hurt me, he did,” he added.

“I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them.

“Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament. I’ve been battling my own game but that’s how it was. You have to take it on the chin and take it as a champion.

“It hurts but that’s how it should be. It is what it is.”

What next for the Nuke?

Littler will not practice seriously for a week, but he’ll have barely any time to rest on his laurels; he’ll defend his Bahrain Darts Masters title in mid-January before going on to defend his Premier League crown in February.

After his world championship win, Sky Sports Darts’ Mark Webster analysed the challenges facing Littler going into the 2025 season.

“Littler came here under pressure and he wasn’t the defending champion. He had a bullseye on him and he certainly has a bullseye on him now,” he said.

“They are going to have to bring their A-game and more because we have seen what he has just done to Michael van Gerwen and what he has done throughout this tournament.

“He is not even two years into his career, the challenge now is for him to go and win other majors he hasn’t won and then defend his title next year.

“There is always something else to achieve. He will never think he has completed anything. You have just got to applaud his dedication, he has been dedicated for a long, long time.”

Continue Reading

UK

Boy saved from burning car after M6 crash caused by suicidal ex-RAF pilot, inquest hears

Published

on

By

Boy saved from burning car after M6 crash caused by suicidal ex-RAF pilot, inquest hears

A workman saved a seven-year-old boy from a burning car in the aftermath of a deadly crash caused by a suicidal ex-pilot, an inquest has heard.

The schoolboy’s rescue came following the collision on the M6, which killed former RAF man Richard Woods and four others, in October last year.

Last week a coroner ruled that Woods, 40, took his own life by deliberately driving his Skoda the wrong way down the motorway while drunk and hitting a Toyota Yaris head-on.

The driver of the Toyota, Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, was also killed, along with his two sons, Filip, 15, and Dominic, seven, and his partner Jade McEnroe, 33.

Cockermouth Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday that Ms McEnroe’s son was also in the car but survived after workman Gavin Walsh came to his rescue at the scene, which was near Tebay services in Cumbria.

In a statement to the inquest, Mr Walsh said he was a passenger in a transit van travelling to Scotland when he witnessed the crash.

He jumped out of the vehicle and used a jack to smash the rear windscreen of the Toyota and pulled the boy out of the burning vehicle.

Mr Walsh said: “We really did try, I can assure everyone we did our best. We only had minimal time.

“I saved a life that day and I hope never to witness anything like that again.”

He added that he has never stopped thinking about the boy, and said: “I hope we will meet again one day and I will give you a massive hug.”

At the time, the family were returning to Glasgow from a trip to Legoland in Windsor, Berkshire.

The inquest heard that Wood, who was travelling at a speed of at least 65mph, would have been charged with manslaughter had he survived.

Recording conclusions of unlawful killing, Cumbria assistant coroner Margaret Taylor said: “I found that Jaroslaw, Jade, Filip and Dominic died as a consequence of the unlawful acts of another driver.”

The inquest heard how Mr Woods, from Cambridgeshire, had served a distinguished 14-year career in the RAF and was a flight instructor for BAE Systems at the time of his death.

Jade McEnroe and son Arran. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary
Image:
Jade McEnroe. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary

Dominic and Filip Rossa. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary
Image:
Dominic and Filip. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary

In Ms Taylor’s record of inquest, Mr Woods was said to have been experiencing “a number of stressors in his life” and had a “history of harmful use of alcohol”.

Following the crash, he was found to be nearly four times over the legal drink-drive limit and a two-thirds empty bottle of gin was found in his car.

On the day of his death, concerns had been raised over his behaviour at a work conference near Preston in Lancashire.

Mr Woods failed to return to his seat after lunch and was later spotted driving erratically and swerving across three northbound carriageway lanes on the M6.

After pulling onto the hard shoulder, he then proceeded to U-turn and drove southward on lane three.

Filip, Dominic and Jaroslaw Rossa. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary
Image:
Filip, Dominic and Jaroslaw Rossa. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary

Detective Sergeant Deborah Story, from Cumbria Police, told the inquest that Mr Woods would have been prosecuted on four counts of manslaughter had he lived.

She said hypothetical charges of murder were considered by detectives but not thought appropriate because of a lack of information that Mr Woods knew the family or anything that provided a link between them.

Ms McEnroe’s parents, Marie McEnroe and George McNellis, told the coroner they thought it was “murder”.

Read more from Sky News:
Luton Airport expansion approved
Prince Harry responds to charity row
Appeal launched to help earthquake victims

A statement from the mother of Filip and Dominic, and the ex-wife of Mr Rossa, Kamila, was read out at the inquest.

She said Mr Rossa, known as Jarek, was born in Poland where they became a couple and went on to have three boys.

He loved playing computer games and had “lots of friends”, she said, and worked at the Wagamama restaurant in Silverburn, Glasgow.

She said she was “devastated” over the deaths, adding: “Our lives will never be the same.

“I am heartbroken at the passing of my beloved angels Filip and Dominic.”

Marie McEnroe said her daughter, a spa therapist, had been in a relationship with Mr Rossa for about two-and-a-half years.

She said Jade had been a “brilliant mother” to her only child, was “really happy” with Mr Rossa and it was “lovely chaos” when all the boys were playing together.

Ms McEnroe added: “Life changed forever that day”.

Ms Taylor praised the “selfless acts of bravery” from those in the aftermath of the collision, including Mr Walsh, who she said went towards the burning car “without hesitation for his own safety”.

The coroner added: “Without his swift response, Jade’s child would also have perished.”

Addressing the bereaved family members, she said: “Your loss is unimaginable but you have conducted yourself with dignity and I thank you for that. I wish you strength for the future.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Continue Reading

UK

Thomas Kettleborough: ‘Vile’ former police inspector caught in child sex sting

Published

on

By

Thomas Kettleborough: 'Vile' former police inspector caught in child sex sting

A ‘vile’ former police officer who was caught in a sting operation after travelling to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old boy has been jailed.

Thomas Kettleborough, 35, then an inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, was arrested in July 2023 while attempting to meet up with ‘the teenager’ after communicating with him on Grindr and Snapchat.

However, he was actually speaking to undercover officers.

After being detained at a car park in Bristol, officers found a bag in the boot of his car containing “an assortment of sex toys, condoms and bondage equipment, including a pair of limb restraints,” Exeter Crown Court heard.

More than 150 indecent images of children were also discovered on his phone and computer.

Kettleborough used the apps to have sexually explicit chats with the teenager, using the name Liam, while claiming to be 28, prosecutors said.

In February, he pleaded guilty to several child sex offences, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Last month he was sacked by Avon and Somerset Police and barred from policing for gross misconduct.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on Thursday.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the public would be “appalled by the vile and manipulative actions of this former officer”.

She added: “He was caught following a policing operation designed to keep children safe which has resulted in his wider offending being identified.”

Detective Inspector Dave Wells, who led the investigation, said Kettleborough’s crimes took place over four years,

The former officer held positions of trust in the police, the Sea Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society, but “concealed his true identity through an online persona as ‘Liam’, ‘L S’ and ‘Liamss5506’,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells added: “Specialist investigators are ready to listen and investigate any reports relating to Thomas Kettleborough or any other matters of concern. I want people to know that they will be believed.

“Thomas Kettleborough is now behind bars. I hope if there are others that have been affected by this case, they now feel empowered to tell someone, if they are ready to do so.”

Read more from Sky News:
Luton Airport expansion approved
Prince Harry responds to charity row
Appeal launched to help earthquake victims

Lee Bremridge, defending, said Kettleborough had shown genuine remorse for his crimes.

He added that the former officer had “done everything that he can attempt to do to try and understand why it is he committed the offences that he did.”

Kettleborough was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Continue Reading

UK

Girl, 13, dies in house fire

Published

on

By

Girl, 13, dies in house fire

A 13-year-old girl has died after a house fire in Merseyside.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said it was called to the scene in Prescot, in the borough of Knowsley, at 11.42pm on Wednesday.

Crews arrived to find a blaze in the rear bedroom of a mid-terraced house.

In a statement, police said: “A man, woman and five children were able to escape from the property unharmed.

“Sadly, a 13-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Police said four firefighters entered the property with breathing apparatus to tackle the fire, which was on the first floor, and search for people.

The blaze was extinguished at 12.29am on Thursday.

A joint investigation involving MFRS’s Incident Investigation Team and Merseyside Police has been launched.

Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the young girl at this very sad time…

“A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and the girl’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Trending