Luke Littler had to miss the FA Cup Final for fear of being mobbed.
But he’s delighted he didn’t miss his meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and will happily take the attention that comes with becoming World Darts Champion. Littler faces Ian White on Saturday with all eyes in-and-out of sport upon him and fame doesn’t come without cost.
The 17-year-old had to miss seeing his beloved Manchester United win the FA Cup Final against City due to attention. He said: “Yeah. That is probably the reason we didn’t go. Just to keep out of it all. It was my fault for winning the Premier League! Otherwise I could have gone to Wembley so that is shame on me!” It didn’t stop the footballing and sporting world coming to him including an Old Trafford legend. He said: “Meeting Fergie was mental. I am happy for United to invite me.
“I have had so much this year. I went to Carrington. United have invited me to a few games as well.
“The kit launch with Warrington Wolves, the new one, my local rugby team. I am glad they know who I am.”
Littler is dealing with sky-high expectations at the Ally Pally. But the kid is delighted to have his feet firmly on the ground as the guns for glory.
The teenager has endured a whirlwind year of chaos and has visited a country for every year of his life in 12 epic months. It’s gruelling and he said: “Planes, hotels, flights. Up until January there are no flights, it is up and down the country. It has been hard being away from home.
“Especially with the Premier League. Get there a day before. The day after, Friday, you travel to a European Tour. It’s a good five-six days away. There is nothing now until January and Bahrain. I am glad I am not on a flight until Bahrain.”
Littler could soon be driving himself around the motorways, but smiled: “I have seen a few crash courses. Hopefully I can get a pass within a week and get on the road. I am the only non-driver out of my friend group now. They can drive me around!
“I have said to my mum and dad, look at a car, say I bought one, put it on the drive, and that will make me want to find time for it. At the minute, I am not thinking about it. Whenever I get a week off, then I will just find the crash course, book it in and get it done. I wouldn’t have L plates!”
Given his profile, it’s astounding that Littler doesn’t turn 18 until next month. It’s just another thing he takes casually as he explained: “I wouldn’t say looking forward to doing anything.
“When you are 18 you can do most things then. I wouldn’t say I am looking forward to one particular thing. You are 18, you are an adult, you do what you want basically.
“I wouldn’t say it will change anything. Like I said, it’s one of them.”
He’s a celebrity that has featured on Have Got News for You, Bullseye and Jonathan Ross. He said: “For my face to be involved with what Prime Ministers and Kings, I will take it in. It just goes to show how much I have done this year and how much the sport has grown.
“After the world final, I knew the next day there would be a lot of media. We did Breakfast on BBC. Spoke to Heart. I was in the Sky Sports studio, but I knew that was coming.
“Who knows what happens in 10, 15 years’ time? At the minute, it’s about getting as many titles as I can.
“I want to win one of every major. I know there are not many people who have done it. Then build on it.
“I know there is a lot of expectation leading into this. Obviously the only thing I can do is win that last game in the final. But there’s a lot way to go.
“This year there’s a lot of expectation. I am not defending anything because it is only my second time. Last year it was a free hit, I have seen the other professionals having to defend money.
“I know there are quite a players who are ranked higher, who are defending money. If I can win a few more games at the Worlds, I can go even further in the world rankings.
“In whatever 10, 15 years’ time, if I have won one of everything, play in the World Cup, even if it is for a day, to be World No.1, I’d leave the sport very happy.”