‘They have never cared’ – Darts star fires dig at BBC after spending entire day giving interviews with Luke Littler

NATHAN ASPINALL claims that the BBC “never cared” about darts until “celebrity” Luke Littler came along.

The sport has had a spotlight placed on it this year, following the emergence of 17-year-old sensation Littler.

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Nathan Aspinall has spoken about Luke Littler’s effect on darts coverage[/caption]

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Aspinall, 32, believes that Littler can learn a lot from him[/caption]

Last year’s World Matchplay winner Aspinall, 32, claims that he is merely “a darts player” – rather than a celeb like his teenage peer.

On recent media commitments, Aspinall gave Littler credit, saying: “He’s not a darts player, he’s a celebrity. I’m a darts player, he’s a celebrity. That’s the difference.

“But what’s he doing, because he’s a celebrity, he’s projecting darts to a whole new level.

“I did a day of media on Tuesday at the BBC, BBC have never cared about darts. All of a sudden me and Luke Littler are in there for five hours doing media, they want us.

“That isn’t because of me or Van Gerwen, that’s because of Luke Littler. So you’ve got to give credit where credit is due.”

World Championship finalist Littler climbed to the top of the Premier League Darts table last night by winning for the second consecutive week.

But experienced dartist Aspinall still feels that “the Nuke” has much to learn from his peers.

The Stockport-born ace added: “He is helping us boys out as much as himself. But darts-wise, he’s great but he hasn’t got what we’ve got at the moment.

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“I learn nothing from Luke Littler. He’s 17. At the end of the day he learns from me. Simple as that.

“But he is a fantastic talent. What he’s done for the sport. Forget about his darts ability because it’s not about his darts.

“He’s got to learn from us. I don’t learn from him, he learns from me.

“Even though he’s just beat me and ironed me out the last few times. I’m trying to help him. He’s a better dart player than me, hands down.

“But he hasn’t got a head like I’ve got. I’m trying to talk to him and help him to try and get that mindset in his game.”

Littler beat Aspinall 6-4 in last night’s Manchester semi-finals, before going on to take down Gerwyn Price to win the night.

The previous week he defeated Aspinall by the same scoreline in the Belfast final.

Littler is leading the way in Premier League Darts, having overtaken Luke Humphries.

Aspinall is five points back on Littler in third, and is determined to qualify for the May 23 02 Arena finals night.

He added: “What makes Nathan Aspinall is that he’s still the same person he was at 14-years of age. I’ve never changed and I never will.

“I’m not going to name no names but players in the world of darts when they achieve success, it changes people.

“I’m a chav from Stockport, always will be. Say what you want. I’m a chav and I’m proud of that.

“I work my knackers off to provide for my family. To provide amazing holidays because I miss so much.

“I just go on that stage and work my balls off to provide for my family.

“I have a smile on my face and enjoy every single moment. Anyone who leaves school at 16 wants to be a footballer, golfer, dart player or whatever.

“I’m living my dream. I’m travelling the world earning money by being a sportsman.

“If you can’t be happy doing that, then you need to do something with yourself.

“If I’m losing then I look at the picture of my kids on my darts case and remind myself what I’m doing it for.

“I’m not fully soppy but at the end of the day I’m a dad. The most important thing to me is Kirsty and my two girls. I think that’s why I’m a very tough opponent.”

The Premier League Darts roadshow will be in Birmingham next Thursday night.

Littler will face Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, while Aspinall has Michael van Gerwen.