Phil Taylor Shocked by Luke Littler’s Actions Following World Darts Championship Victory

“Even if it was just for half an hour. I might be in peak form, and taking two days off could set me back two weeks.

“I needed practice. Luke might have more inherent talent than I do.

“It’s like hitting the gym; taking a couple of weeks off can mean about a month to regain your rhythm.

“Winning the world championship brings a lot of expectations; you must elevate your game.

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“Bahrain will be a significant challenge for the young Luke. We’ll see how he holds up.

“I’m looking forward to watching him. The pressure will be on him to perform well, and I’m sure he will.”

‘Some players are aging… they need to go’ – Luke Littler shares a candid opinion on his cherished Man Utd

Luke Littler prize money breakdown

Here’s a summary of the prize money Luke Littler has accumulated since being crowned the 2025 PDC World Darts Champion:

World Championship 2025 – £500,000

World Championship 2024 – £200,000

Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000

European Tour – £91,000

Player Championships events – £71,500

Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000

UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500

World Matchplay – £10,000

World Grand Prix – £7,500

European Championship – £7,500

(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000

TOTAL: £1.43 million

The Power, now 64, admits that his shopping trips are frequently interrupted by fans eager to discuss The Nuke while he picks out the freshest ingredients!

Taylor – often hailed as the most successful player in the sport with 16 world titles – holds great admiration for young Littler, who impressively lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy this month at only 17.

Rooney was merely 16 when he made his debut in the Premier League – scoring THAT unforgettable goal against David Seaman while representing Everton in October 2002 – and debuted for England just four months later at 17.

He commented: “Luke has an extraordinary temperament. He’s a remarkable young man. For someone at just 17, he’s exceptional.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen anything quite like him. Except maybe Wayne Rooney.

“I see similarities between them. Both seem genuinely nice individuals, which they really are.

“However, when it comes to competition, whether on the field or the dartboard, they are fierce! There’s no stopping them.

“You have to go out there and beat them. Don’t expect them to falter against you. They won’t.”

Taylor’s passion for the sport he once dominated has only grown stronger due to Littler’s incredible accomplishments over the past year.

Where he might have previously preferred not to watch, particularly in the years shortly after his retirement in 2018, he now finds it difficult to look away from the sport on his screen.

He notes that his shopping excursions are taking longer due to Littler’s rise to fame.

Taylor stated: “Luke has elevated darts to new heights. Everyone is talking about him, trust me.

“I just visited the grocery store on Monday. People kept stopping me, asking: ‘What do you think about this Luke Littler?’

“I usually stay in the car and send my partner in. ‘I’m done with all the questions!’

“I could be stopped 20 times while out shopping. The most frequent question is: ‘Can he sustain this level?’

“I reply: ‘Of course he can. He’s just 17.’ It’s all about how he handles everything. Is he getting enough rest? Is he avoiding burnout?

“He has amazing support from his parents. His brother is a great young guy. His manager is dependable. So far, he’s on the right path.”

Fans can catch Taylor live on Pluto TV this Saturday, where he will provide commentary for the Legends League in the Modus Super Series.

Pluto TV, a streaming service, will showcase Super Series tournaments exclusively, with 104 live matches each week along with comprehensive specials and documentaries.