Andrew Gilding has recounted his kebab-shop warning about Luke Littler.
The former UK Open champion stayed on course for a World Championship quarter-final meeting with The Nuke after beating Martin Lukeman. Gilding was a lamb to the slaughter when beaten by Littler 12 months ago on the teenager’s Ally Pally debut. He smiled: “There was a buzz in the air. When I was at the MatchPlay last year, some people were in the kebab shop next to the hotel. They said: ‘Watch out for Luke Littler’. I thought: I’ve not really heard of him. But the buzz was growing. I didn’t hit my first 180 until I was 16. It’s a different game these days. A special talent.”
Littler loves his sweets and Gilding will be having hs own treats during a last 32 clash with Nathan Aspinall. He said: “I’m Type 2 diabetic, so I’ll make sure I’ve got food and maybe put some sweets into the break room.”
Gilding reckons his first crack at the last 32 is pure Gold. He said: “I got carried away with the crowd. I hit my first 180 and they started singing Spandau Ballet. It put me off. I went to bits, but then I got serious.”
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