HE’S taken the darts world by storm, becoming the youngest player to ever win a match at the World Championships – and now looks set to be as big as Tyson Fury.
Luke Littler, 16, from Warrington, will be taking on fellow Englishman Rob Cross tonight, in the PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals, and is favourite to win with odds of 4/6.
Nick Ede believes the Littlers could become as big as the Furys[/caption]Luke – who’s already been tipped as favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year 2024 – is already guaranteed a £100,000 payday, but he looks set to become a millionaire over the coming year.
Having dropped only four sets all tournament, he told Sky Sports: “Now I am dreaming. I’m two games away. I’m definitely thinking about lifting the title.
“If I keep it up I’ve got a good chance.”
The darts wonderkid has been supported by his girlfriend Eloise Milburn, and his sister Caitlin throughout the competition.
And brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes the two stunning blondes can work like Molly-Mae Hague and Paris Fury in helping him make the Littlers as big as The Furys .
He says: “Luke is the next big thing in sports but also as a celebrity in his own right.
“He has the ability to make millions with darts endorsements, and draw in a whole new demographic of players and fans, and also, more importantly, away from the board.
“With his glamorous girlfriend, and supportive family, he’s got all the makings of the next TV star with a fly-on-the-wall reality show on the cards to rival the Furys or Sam and Billie Faiers.”
Supportive girlfriend
His girlfriend Eloise has been supporting him throughout the championship[/caption] Nick says Eloise ‘ticks all the right boxes’ when it comes to being a reality star[/caption]“Luke the Nuke” and Eloise first made headlines on New Year’s Day, when they were seen sharing a kiss at the PDC World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace, celebrating his big win.
Beauty consultant Eloise, 21, was supporting Luke from the crowd and was wearing the same blue shirt as him.
After Luke’s victory over Brendan Dolan, Eloise – who is an Avon sales representative and amateur darts player herself – took to Instagram to share how impressed she was by her partner’s win, writing: “The dream carries on”.
But musical theatre fan Eloise is talented in her own right too, and has been showing off her sensational singing voice on social media.
A clip of her belting out Adele’s huge hit song, Easy On Me, racked up over 2,500 views on TikTok – before she made her account private.
And darts isn’t the only sport she’s into, as she shared videos of herself supporting Crystal Palace FC at the FA Cup semi-final in Wembley last year.
Eloise also suffered a recent cancer scare, and had a tumour removed from her leg.
Opening up about her ordeal and sharing pictures from her surgery, she wrote on TikTok: “Recovery was difficult but finally getting there #operation #cancerscare #recovery #staystrong.”
And Nick believes this openness is what will drive TV producers to look to her and Luke for a reality show.
He says: “For any reality star, its all about being open and honest and she ticks all the right boxes to become TV gold.
“Plus, Eloise is a beautician and a keen performer so her and Luke’s dynamic will make for must-see viewing.”
Stunning sister
Luke’s sister Caitlin has also been very supportive of her younger brother’s career[/caption] She has been posting throughout the tournament[/caption]Luke’s girlfriend isn’t the only woman in his life who has shared their love for him online.
His family have been very supportive and, following his quarter-final victory, his older sister Caitlin was quick to take to social media to congratulate her brother.
Alongside pictures of her sibling she wrote to her 2,000 Instagram followers: “The dream continues. Unbelievably proud of you”.
She’s been very supportive of her brother throughout his darts career.
On her Instagram account, along with a video of Luke checking out against Darryl Pilgrim in style with two consecutive bullseyes in the Modus Super Series in May 2023, she posted: “Gutted I couldn’t be there but never been so proud of someone, so much love.”
Writing in August after he won his second Modus Super Series gong she said: ‘Speechless he’s done it again! Never EVER been more proud of someone, what a night! You just continue to amaze us all everyday we all love you so much, keep smashing it.’
Luke and Caitlin also have two brothers Leon and Harry, who have been spotted in the crowd cheering him on too.
Nick believes reality TV is in the Littlers’ future – and the girls could become stars in their own right.
He says: “The girls have all the elements of becoming classic reality TV stars like Paris Fury and Molly Mae.
“I can see a realty show on the life of Luke and I can also see him appearing on our screens as a guest on daytime TV shows and on quiz shows too.
“He’s only young so he will need support from a good team but the world is his oyster.”
Already a winner
Luke has already made celeb friends including Arsenal superstars Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice[/caption] He also posed with Tottenham midfielder James Maddison[/caption]While Luke hasn’t yet won the darts championship, Nick believes he’s already won financially.
He continues: “Darts has traditionally been associated with the older generation but Luke has changed that and, at only 16, he can become the Tom Daley of darts!
“Even is he doesn’t win this Championship, all eyes are on him and he’ll become a financial winner with a bright future ahead of him and his family.
“This will be the year that Luke Littler becomes Luke Greater!”