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Darts legend and three-time world champion John Lowe gives his verdict on what makes Luke Littler so good as the teenage superstar goes for Ally Pally glory against Michael van Gerwen
Phrases like ‘natural ability’ and ‘God-given talent’ are routinely thrown around when trying to sum up Luke Litter.
There truly has been no one like The Nuke in darts – or perhaps in any sport – who has achieved so much in such a short space of time. But to suggest Littler was born with his darting prowess suggests an element of luck.
And it’s a theory darts legend John Lowe doesn’t buy into for one second. We’ve all seen the home videos of an infant Littler hurling arrows with unerring accuracy at a children’s board and then mimicking heroes like Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
According to three-time BDO world champion Lowe, who hit the first-ever televised nine-darter in 1984, Littler’s spellbinding success is due to that early start and his family’s encouragement, not natural talent.
“He’s been playing darts since he was 18 months old,” said Lowe, who features in the upcoming Sky documentary series Darts Kings, which focuses on the sport’s legends of the 80s and 90s.
“That is thanks to his father because he kept the board low and moved the board up as he grew. I think that’s the secret. Kids wants to play like Luke Littler but I tell the parents, ‘don’t put the dartboard at your height because they’ve got to throw uphill then’.
“Everyone says he’s natural, but he’s not. [It’s because] he started when he was 18 months; it’s part of what he’s grown up with.”
Still only 17, Littler is the only current player who could potentially get close to Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. However, given the growing riches in the game, he won’t need to play on for another 20 or 30 years if he doesn’t wish to – provided he’s sensible with his money.
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“Luke Littler made £1million last year alone,” added Lowe, who is thrilled with the impact the youngster has had on the sport. “It’s doubtful whether he needs to go on that long [to beat Taylor’s record]. The sport has changed incredibly. He’s had a bigger impact than people in the sport realise.
“The people in the shop, in the pub, on the bus, they all know who Luke Littler is. It’s amazing how many people know who he is.
“He was runner-up in the Sports Personality of the Year Award. That shows how many people voted for him. Sports Personality is not about how many tournaments you’ve won, it’s about personality.”
Littler’s success is also benefitting others in the game. Lowe continued: “I’m doing a show in Skegness in October, which is a long way away. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are playing and they sold out within five hours.
“It sold out so quickly that they booked me and Phil Taylor to do the next day, an ‘audience with’ on a Sunday afternoon. We’ll just be sat on stage doing an hour’s talk. I’m told that’s already half sold out as well.”
According to Lowe, 79, it’s the other Luke, Humphries, who remains the best player on the planet. The 2024 world champion was on the course to face Littler in the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace, only to be knocked out by a rejuvenated Peter Wright in the fourth round in the one of the upsets of the tournament.
Humphries remains the world No.1 by a healthy margin though. Lowe said: “Luke Humphries is, without doubt, the best player in the world. The only person who doesn’t say he’s the best is Luke Humphries!
“After he beat Luke Littler in a match, he said he’d just beaten the best player in the world. I don’t know why he’d say that, why you’d credit the other guy. He’s either modest or it’s a nice mental strategy.”
As for his favourite players to watch, Lowe is an admirer of another top-10 player, who reminds him of one of his great rivals of 80s, two-time world champion Jockey Wilson.
“I have my favourite players who I like to watch but it’s not always your Michael van Gerwens and your Luke Littlers,” added Lowe. “My favourite player to watch is Dave Chisnall because he’s got a flow, like Jockey Wilson had.”
Watch Dart Kings from January 4 on Sky Documentaries and NOW.
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