Luke Littler, the teenage darts phenomenon, has been catapulted into the spotlight once again with a nomination for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The 18-year-old, now the undisputed face of modern darts, is recognised for a historic season of dominance following his World Darts Championship triumph in January 2025.
From Prodigy to World Number One
Luke Littler's journey to the pinnacle of darts began almost unbelievably early. Born in Warrington in January 2007, he first picked up a dart at just 18 months old, using a magnetic board from a pound shop. His prodigious talent was evident by the age of ten when he started attending youth academies and routinely beating adult opponents.
His true breakout moment came at the 2024 World Darts Championship. As a 16-year-old debutant, he captivated the nation by reaching the final in one of British sport's most famous underdog stories, eventually finishing as runner-up to Luke Humphries.
Proving that run was no fluke, Littler has since established total dominance. He is the current reigning world champion and world number one, having claimed the sport's biggest prize in January 2025. His 2025 campaign has been record-breaking, securing the 'Triple Crown' of majors with victories at the World Matchplay, the World Grand Prix, and a successful defence of his Grand Slam of Darts title.
Life in the Spotlight: Wealth, Home and Relationship
Littler's meteoric rise has translated into significant wealth and a lifestyle befitting his superstar status. His career prize money alone now exceeds £2.1 million, with his total net worth, bolstered by sponsorships, estimated to be over £6 million.
He has recently moved his family into a luxurious new home, marking a dramatic upgrade from their previous semi-detached house. The property is a five-bedroom mansion on a sought-after 'Millionaire's Row' in Cheshire, costing approximately £6,000 per month in rent. The lavish home boasts an indoor swimming pool, a private cinema room, and state-of-the-art security.
Off the oche, Littler is in a relationship with Faith Millar, a 19-year-old beauty therapist from Wigan. The couple have been dating since early 2025, and she is now a regular and supportive presence in the family box during his major tournament victories.
The Nuke's Impact and the Future
Globally known by his nickname 'The Nuke' and entering arenas to Pitbull's 'Green Light', Littler has transformed the public perception of darts. He is widely credited with attracting a massive new, younger audience to the sport, driving record TV viewership and sparking a surge in dartboard sales and youth participation across the UK.
A prolific performer of the perfect leg, he has multiple televised nine-dart finishes to his name, including a sensational one at the 2025 World Matchplay that sent the Blackpool crowd into a frenzy.
At just 18 years old, Luke Littler has achieved a lifetime's worth of success. As the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony approaches this Thursday, he stands as arguably the most dominant sportsperson in the country. Although he will not be attending the event in person, his second consecutive year as a central figure in the SPOTY conversation underscores his incredible impact. With the World Darts Championship currently underway, the future for 'The Nuke' seems limitless.
