I used to beat Luke Littler’s GRANDAD and now I’m out to wreck his World Darts Championship dream – I’m like Roy Cropper

Ian White reckons it’s Boy Wonder against Roy Cropper.

But he has history against the Littlers as he used to regularly thrash Luke’s grandad. Veteran White gave a brilliant insight into the contrast between himself and The Nuke ahead of Friday’s World Darts Championship blockbuster at the Ally Pally. At the age of 54, Diamond is 37 years older than his rival. While Littler plays his X-Box, White was racing around on motorbikes and going to heavy metal concerts as a teenager in the 1980s. It’s a mouth-watering mix between the young superstar and the Corrie character who does the Dab.

On facing the game’s biggest star who is barely out of school, White smiled: “When I first started in darts, I played against his granddad, Phil. In Runcorn. Local teams. I used to beat him all the time. He played for the Albion. Local teams. We used to play against him loads of times. We had banter.

“I seen him not long ago. It was a bad time. At a funeral. I was talking to him. I am not sure if it is his mum or dad’s dad. But it is his grandad! He’s from Runcorn, the same as me. That is why I say Luke is No.2. I am No.1! I wouldn’t have seen Luke in the pub. He wasn’t even born then.

“Two years before he started coming into the PDC, when I spoke to his grandad, he went: Watch out, he is playing well. He has got to come 18 yet. He has got to have a beer. He has got to be with the girls. He hasn’t got Poll Tax, he hasn’t got bills to pay. Wait until he has a kid!

“At 17, I had hair down here. Ripped jeans. Heavy metal. Off to Donington to watch Iron Maiden. That is what I was doing. With my motorbikes. I wasn’t playing darts. I have got two carrier bags down there. I am like the Roy Cropper of darts. Off Coronation Street.

“I haven’t got a dartboard up in the house, I go out to practice. What has been the secret? Probably my 7k run every morning! It is all about having a laugh. With people like Gary Anderson, we have gone past that competitive bit, but we are still fighting. There is more to life than darts. It is our livelihood, but we just enjoy life as well.

“I have no pressure. Hopefully the nine-darter will come. I will probably need about eight of them against Luke. I am looking forward to it. I cannot wait. Listen, the lad is talented, he has put darts on the map. Everyone wants to come. That is the best thing that has happened to us. We love it.”

Littler’s status saw millions tune-in to watch his opener against Ryan Meikle seven days ago, but White laughed: “I was watching the boxing! But Luke is a top player. It’s class. He is the best thing ever. We have never seen the BBC come on to it. Never see people go on the Jonathan Ross Show.

“I have got to get the crowd on my side. That will be hard. I have seen one of my tops. But you look at how many tops he has up there. All these young kids are loving that. Everyone knows I am not a villain. Listen, if I went up there and won, it would probably be one of the best things of my career.

“Playing Michael van Gerwen in Holland and all the people behind him all booing me. I was cacking it. End of the day, I won. Things like you will always remember. If I beat Luke now, I would have everyone out there booing me but every darts player would be shaking my hand!”

If White is doing the business, you can expect to see The Dab. He smiled: “My step daughter, she said to me one time when I was on TV: Do the dab. I dare you. Ever since, I have done it. Next thing the internet comes on with Paul Pogba, then the next minute someone else. Wow. This is good.

“If anyone ever says to me dare you I will do it. She’s definitely older than Luke. I have practised with Phil Taylor, John Part. Then Adrian Lewis, Michael Smith, too. They all became World Champions. I am thinking: What is going on here? I must charge more when I am practising. I won’t practise with Luke. I won’t even give him my number!”