LUKE ‘The Nuke’ Littler was rattled by a crowd incident involving his mum before producing record-breaking form to reach the Premier League Darts Night 4 final in Exeter.
During the Warrington teenager’s walk-on for his quarter-final clash with Stephen Bunting at Westpoint in Exeter, he leaned over the barrier to embrace his mum Lisa when she appeared to be shoved from behind and her head jolted.
The 18-year-old was understandably angered, had words, and he turned round as he climbed the stairs to the stage to check on the situation.
And then before the practice, both he and Bunting stared for a period in Lisa’s direction, concerned by events.
Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting showing concern for Lisa Littler over the crowd incident (Image: Simon O' Connor)
Littler raised his thumb to ask ‘Are you okay’ before cracking on with the match.
Having gone ahead with competing in Exeter despite feeling under the weather with flu, the incident could have upset the world champion’s opening to the contest.
But that wasn’t the case, as St Helens thrower Bunting was able to testify.
Littler racked up an incredible 10 maximums, 67 per cent on the doubles and a 112 average in winning his quarter-final 6-3.
That is a record number of 180s in a Premier League game in its current format.
A bit of clowning around from Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler after their quarter-final (Image: Simon O' Connor)
His switch to silver-coated darts, having thrown his gold-covered ones off the stage after his quarter-final defeat to the previous week’s winner Gerwyn Price, looked to have paid off.
The Bunting win earned ‘The Nuke’ a semi-final clash with stablemate Nathan Aspinall, who had seen off Chris Dobey 6-5 in his first game.
If The Asp was hoping for a let-up from the reigning champion he was sorely mistaken, as Littler opening their contest with a 130 checkout in 11 darts.
Within the blink of an eye it was 2-0 and then the teenager finished on 100 to clinch the third leg, averaging 120.86.
Two missed doubles left the door open for Aspinall to hold throw before a routine response from Littler made it 4-1.
Both throwers missed doubles before the Stockport man nailed a leg back.
The response – Littler checked out on 105 with a tops-tops finish to lift the roof inside Westpoint.
And he ended the match with a bullseye checkout and a near 110 average to seal a place in the final with Luke Humphries, who had ended the hopes of Gerwyn Price 6-4 and Rob Cross 6-5 earlier in the night.
A hug and word in the ear from Nathan Aspinall for Luke Littler after their semi-final (Image: Simon O' Connor)
Littler, who overcame Humphries 6-5 in the final to win night two in Glasgow, produced a stunning 144 finish to hold throw in a grand start to the final.
When Littler was a whisker away from his double for a break in the second leg, Humphries made him pay.
The teenager made the most of having the arrows in his favour to nudge back in front.
Humphries was then wayward on the doubles and Littler made him pay for a second break and a 3-1 lead.
The plot was lost by Humphries in the fifth as he busted his score but Littler let him off the hook and his rival broke back and then held throw in 11 darts to level at 3-3.
Leg seven belonged to Littler but he then missed 15 to mess up his attempt to break Humphries, who again tied the contest.
Two misses at double from Littler allowed the world number one to break at a critical time, giving him the chance with the darts to win the match.
He took that opportunity to achieve his second nightly win of the 2025 campaign and increase his lead at the top of the table, sat in pole position with 15 points and Littler second on eight points.
Littler will be disappointed with his 96.82 average in the final considering what he rattled up earlier in the night.
Attention will now turn to the UK Open in Minehead on Friday night.
> READ: UK Open schedule for Friday at Butlin's Resort Minehead
At 1-1 against Bunting in the Exeter quarter-finals, the third leg started with nine perfect arrows between them, Littler throwing two 180s on his way to a 13-dart hold.
Again the St Helens thrower levelled matters and ‘The Nuke’ responded with two more 180s en route to a 13-darter and going in front for a third time.
The break finally came, along with two more 180s, as Littler moved 4-2 ahead.
A ninth 180 was put away as ‘The Nuke’ made it 5-2 while his average levered over 110.
Bunting stayed alive as he held throw but it was all one-way traffic as the teenager wrapped up the contest 6-3.
