Barry Hearn calls Luke Littler his ‘ultimate Christmas present’ as he sends thank you to 17-year-old darts prodigy

BARRY HEARN has claimed Luke Littler is the “ultimate Christmas present” after his stunning year.

The darts sensation has taken the sport by storm since his run to the final of the PDC World Championship.

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Barry Hearn has hailed Luke Littler[/caption]

Rex

The teenage sensation was called the ‘ultimate Christmas present’[/caption]

Hearn, 76, has thanked the youngster for his performances and help increasing the viewership of darts.

He is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, which organises darts events.

He believes that despite having most things he could ever want the breakthrough of Littler is like a “Christmas present”.

He told Sky Sports: “He was my Christmas present.

“I am so difficult to buy a cause I’m older, and I have got most of the things I want.

“And then someone gave me Luke Littler, and it is the ultimate Christmas present I could have had.

“Luke Humphries and him are going to just dominate these darts events.

“But be careful because there is half a dozen really top youngsters that are following in the footsteps of Littler.

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“So he may not have it as easy as he thinks.”

Littler’s success at the oche has seen him rack up over £1million in prize money.

He has won the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Series of Darts.

He also became the youngest player ever to lift a PDC major title when he finished top of the Premier League Darts.

Littler is now seen him named one of the favourites for SPOTY.

However, he did admit he did not know who he was up against when asked.