Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries – World Darts Championship final LIVE: 16-year-old star falls short at Ally Pally as world No 1 comes back to win 7-4

What. A. Night.

We’ve been dragged one way and then the other countless times tonight in what has been another seismic clash at Ally Pally.

It was a night that promised us one of the greatest stories that sport had to offer; the 16-year-old debutant going all the way against all the odds, winning over the hearts of purists, casual fans and the vast majority of the nation along the way.

But if there was one man that was going to stop him, it was Luke Cool Hand Humphries, who fought back time and again to restrict The Nuke and stop him from running away, as he has done so many times already in this tournament.

After all, if you’re going to lose the biggest game of your career, it might as well be against the player ranked best in the world, who is coming off the back of one of the best 12-month periods in the history of the sport – producing a narrative to rival Littler’s on the night.

Humphries was lethal, clinical, and ruthless, and threw his way deservedly to a WDC title, as well as the small matter of £500,000 in prize money, leaving Littler a valiant and in many ways still victorious loser on the night. One thing’s for sure, though – this is not the last we’ll hear about the teenage sensation, who walks away from north London £200,000 richer for his sterling efforts.

Thank you so much for joining us tonight for this memorable match. You can check all of our content at the links below.

We hoped you enjoyed this as much as we did, and to all of you good night!

Tonight was not only a memorable occaision for Littler and Humphries, but also for Referee Russ Bray.

The ‘voice of darts’ called his last World Championship final on Wedneday, the 28th of his career.

The 66-year-old has become one of the most imitated people in sport due to the trademark way he bellows ‘180’ every time a player hits a maximum in his gruff and booming voice, while his ‘game on’ to mark the start of play is also instantly recognisable.

Bray is heading into semi-retirement and will be sorely missed by fans attending Ally Pally next December.

I’m sure Littler will only want a few things now following that defeat – his family, his bed and possibily a kebab.

From the pictures of him returning to his North London hotel, it looks like he has two of the three, with girlfreind Eloise Milburn and father Anthony Buckley pictured walking with him back to their rooms for some well-earned rest.

No food has been spotted so far, but we will keep you updated.

Following the completion of the dramtic final,Sky Sports pundit and former proffessional player Wayne Mardle said Luke Humphries was ‘riding the crest of a wave’ with his latest major championship win.

Mardle said: ‘He is absolutely cleaning up. He has gone from a non major win to winning four of the last five. Winning the World Championship and becoming number one.

‘He is on the crest of the wave and it is great to see.’

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison was in attendance for tonight’s final.

He recieved a lot of attention online after he held up a sign to the live crowd that read ‘North London is white’ after ‘Tottenham get battered’ chants were aimed at him.

Fans on social media had a lot to say about the footballer’s actions at the darts.

It was a rolloacoster of emotions for those cheering Luke Littler on at St Helens Darts Academy.

Dawn Callaghan, 51, a sales assistant, said: ‘Luke did so well, and we are so proud of him.

‘At one point we thought he might do it, but Humphries was brilliant.

‘Luke lost tonight to an amazing player. It was a great match.

‘I’m sure it will be his turn soon. Maybe it will be his next year.’

Committee member Geoff Callahan, 47, said: ‘I am gutted for Luke.

‘He kept going and never gave in.

‘If he hadn’t missed the double two, we never know what might have been.

‘But he will be back, I have no doubt.

‘People forget he is only 16 and has a great year future ahead of him.’

Luke Littler has remained in high spirits while speaking to the media following the final loss.

On the final: ‘I’m disappointed not to get over the line. But it is what it is. I played a part in a good tournement and a good final then.’

The missed dart at double two: ‘I think I was stupid. I took out 122, which is two treble 18s and a double 7. I should have just gone for the double four. It was just ten points off. I slowed myself down and had to compose myself, but I did not win another set after that.’

On reaching the final: ‘I just wanted to win my first game and be back after Christmas, that was all I set. This is just a massive bonus and I have gained a lot of experince from it.’

The future: ‘This is it now. I’m in the top 32 players in the world and be a seed for the tournement next December. It’s a busy year ahead.

‘I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learnt how the crowd is, they’ve been on my side which is a good thing. I’ve learnt about the set plays, the breaks. How to compose yourself and get back on it.’

Both Lukes are being heaped with praise following a dramtic and high-qiality World Darts Championship final.

World number 18 and fan favourite Stephen Bunting tweeted his praise for the two players following Humphries victory.

Bunting was knocked out by Michael van Gerwen in round four of this year’s tournement, but said Humpries was the ‘deserved champion’ and also praised teenager Littler for his maturity in defeat.

A Bunting-Littler clash sometime in the future is an exicitng prospect!

Despite her best friend not getting the result he would have wanted, female darts professionnal Eleanor Cairns is still proud of Luke Littler and hopes he will buy her a kebab with his runners-up prize money.

The 19-year-old was watching the match at the St Helen’s Darts Academy and said: ‘It is not the result that we wanted but we are still very proud.

‘It is incredible what he has achieved. I spoke to him before the final and he told me he was feeling good.

‘Luke is just a normal 16-year-old, who does normal things lads of that age do.

‘He probably celebrate with a kebab and hopefully he will buy me one too with his prize winnings!

‘There are good things to come.’

Words by Richard Marsden

Sp much has been said about Luke Littler in the last few weeks, and rightly so.

At 16 it’s easy to fall into the trap of claiming that he is going straight for the top, and that he’ll stay there for a long old time.

But we’ve seen youngsters make a name for themselves and struggle to maintain it, for one reason or another.

Where is Littler’s ceiling then? Just have far can The Nuke go?

Well, for Wayne Mardle, there’s only one man to compare the youngster to – and it’s maybe one of the best to ever get his hands on some tungsten.

Check out more on that one at the link below…

What a journey Luke Humphries has been on – and now he’s simultaneously world champ and World No 1!

Luke Littler’s sister Caitlin has sung his praises on social media after he missed out on world championship glory in his debut.

Taking to Instagram to praise her brother, she wrote: ‘So unbelievably proud of what you have achieved, absolutely unreal.

‘You went into this only wanting to win 1 game…to then make it to the finals on your debut at 16 is the biggest achievement!

‘We all love (you) so much, now time to chill and enjoy yourself.’

What a tournament it’s been at Alley Pally, and a star really has been born in Luke Littler, for whom life will likely never be the same.

Here’s the full quotes from the 16-year-old sensation in his post-match interview.

You can check it all out at the link below…

A moment Humphries will remember for the rest of his life…

In the middle of that stagering battle there was one man in the crowd copping a fair amount of flak.

Massive darts fan that he is, Maddison was quick to have his say after a few shall we say disparaging chants aimed at his Tottenham side…

They shared a little moment at the end of that titanic tungsten tussle with the lights show already getting under way.

We’ve already seen Humphries’ words at the end of that one, and there’s clearly nothing but respect between these two.

Luke Littler says he aims to come back strong at next year’s World Darts Championship, handling his post-match interview with grace.

The teenager couldn’t disguise his disappointment after a number of errors put paid to his debut campaign – but said following the match that he was happy to have made it as far as he had.

He said: ‘It’s been unbelievable. I just couldn’t hold my own throughout and I didn’t win. Fair play to Luke, he deserves it.

‘I’m happy. Top 32, runner up in my debut, it’s just unbelievable.’

Asked about his hopes for next year, he said: ‘(I want to) win a game and then see what happens after. I might not get to another final for the next five to ten years but I can say I’m a runner up. I want to go back and win a final.’

Mum Lisa could be seen watching the interview, nodding sagely as her son humbly conceded to his opponent.

We’ve said it already, but Luke Humphries has been on his own magnificent journey these last 12 months – and now he’s capped it off in an unbelievable final of enthralling darts from start to finish!

Take a bow, Luke Littler.

He’s turned this sport on its head and brought fans to darts that might never have known their oche from their big fish, all while going about one of the greatest fairy tale runs in sport history.

Luke Humphries has nothing but praise for his rival, saying that Littler will ‘dominate’ world darts in years to come.

As Humphries ran down to embrace friends and family, the 16-year-old was a solitary figure on stage, puffing his cheeks in frustration before composing himself and collecting his thoughts.

He said of Luke Littler: ‘”Honestly I was thinking in the back of my mind, ‘get this one now’ because he’s going to dominate world darts soon! He’s going to win plenty I’m sure.

“He’s an incredible player and when I was on the brink of winning he was relentless – but I was really, really proud of the performance.

‘He’s an incredible talent and he’s going to win plenty, I’m sure.’

Social media is full of praise for the youngster, too.

One said: ‘Jokes aside, Luke Littler, at 16 years of age to make it to a darts final is insane.’

Another added: ‘Luke Littler can hold his head up high… took it right to Humphries.’

Here’s the moment that Humphries knew he’d become the WDC champion…

Look what it means to him!

The whole of Alexandra Palace is on their feet to serenade Littler with his own song as he takes to the stage to take his own runners-up trophy – and the £200k prize he’s earned.

But it’s Humphries who takes the big one. It’s not quite the same ovation for the 16-year-old that has captured the hearts of the nation, but the crowd know just what they’ve seen from the World No 1.

What an unbelievable game we’ve just witnessed.

Humphries took the last five sets on the bounce, but that does not do Littler the justice he deserves.

He was in and around every single one of those legs, but on the night, the World No 1 made his quality show and he really did earn the nickname Cool Hand Luke out there!

Humphries forces the opportunity with another maximum to move to 221, and Littler is left with a tricky finish on 167.

This might need to go… but he can’t bury it.

This is Humphries’ chance to become world champ…. he hits one bull, he hits another… but misses the double!

Littler puts himself just a double 7 away from sealing the set but misses twice!

Now Humphries has the opportunity he’s been waiting for to become world champion on a double 8…. AND THE WORLD NO 1 BURIES IT!

LUKE HUMPHRIES IS THE PDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 WINNER!!!!!

Humphries, on throw is looking ominous in this fourth leg, but from 202 hits a bed and breakfast for only 26!

Littler hits a maximum with Humphries on 76 to take the leg, but there’s no flapping him right now and he moves just 501 points away after checking out on tops!

Darts legend Wayne Mardle appears to have the gift of foresight – after tweeting almost two years ago that he looked forward to seeing Luke Littler’s career play out.

The 50-year-old world semi-finalist posted on Twitter that Littler had reminded him of a ’15/16 year old MVG (Michael van Gerwen)’.

Does he have next week’s lottery numbers?

Littler needs this leg, and gets a maximum off 226 needed for 46 to check out.

Humphries can only follow up with 58 and is on 178.

14 from Littler and he just can’t quite put it away and now there’s big pressure on his shoulders…

Pressure, what pressure? Littler steps up and thumps his way into a 2-1 lead for the set.

Luke Littler might not be old enough to order a pint in his local, but Jeremy Clarkson laid a potentially expensive offer out for the prodigy if he won tonight’s final.

Littler is fighting to turn the tide in the final against Humphries with the score at 4-6 – but Clarkson has offered him crates of his low-alcohol Hawkstone Spa Lager should he manage to beat the odds.

The Grand Tour host and farmer tweeted: ‘This may turn out to be expensive but if Luke Littler wins tonight, I’ll give him enough of our brand new 0.3 percent Hawkstone Spa lager to last till he’s 18.’

Licensing laws governing the sale of alcohol in pubs and shops dictate that anything under 0.5 per cent in strength is not defined as an alcoholic beverage…so the offer appears to be on the right side of the law.

But whether Clarkson’s offer is enough to give Littler the boost he needs remains to be seen…

33rd maximum of the match and a 22nd for Humphries in this second leg now.

He follows up with 82 to leave himself on 180, while Littler is a little adrift on 251.

140 from Humphries puts him needing tops, while Humphries matches his score…

But doesn’t get the chance to make it two as Humphries sinks double 20.

Here we go – this could be the last set now.

Littler gets a 140 at his second visit, and Humphries can manage just the 100 to match him.

Littler gets 133 to leave himself on 74, before 96 from Humphries.

54 from Littler leaves him needing double 10, while Humphries is on 50…

Who will take this one? Littler has it – that’s who!

Humphries is such a clinical winner – and here’s how that last one went down…

We’ve to-ed and fro-ed for over 90 minutes now – and Humphries can seal the title and the small matter of a cool half mil if he can hold nerve in this set.

He’s fought back from 4-2 down to lead 4-6 in this tie, and after some earlier inconsistencies he’s been reeling off ton-plus finishes and 140+ visits like it’s nobody’s business.

Can Littler, the story of the tournament, produce some more magic to fight back in this clash?

As we have been reporting, X (formerly Twitter) has been aflutter with posts on the World Darts Championship.

It’s the second biggest trend in the UK on the website right now, behind only the return of The Traitors on the BBC – and it seems as though everyone that isn’t tuned into Claudia Winkleman is watching Luke Littler’s bid for historic glory.

GB News presenter Beverly Turner is among the latest converts to the sport, posting an image of her tablet in bed with the caption: ‘Never thought I’d be watching darts in bed in January!’

Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion decided to make us all feel very old by reminding us that James Milner made his Premier League debut four years before Luke Littler was born. Thanks for that.

Humphries needs just 36 to seal the 10th set.

He misses one.

He misses two.

But the World No 1 sinks the third!

It’s ANOTHER turnaround and Humphries is ahead by two now!

Humphries needs 80 to check out now, after Littler leaves hiself 124.

He takes only 55 from that 80 and Littler now has a chance to do it with a bullseye…

but is just wide of the mark again!

It feels like each leg is going down to the wire, and Humphries takes it!

BIG FISH TO THE NUKE!

Littler seals the big one to draw back level on legs!

Massive moment for the teenager!

Littler might have lost these legs and sets, but he’s at least been in with a chance each time.

He hits a big 180 in this first leg of the 10th, but Humphries is on a 147 to finish.

He manages just 97, and now Littler is on 164.

He hits his first two darts right on the money, but needing bullseye he misses it, and Humphries pounces to take the lead – he’s punishing any misses from Littler at the moment.

Big 180 to open up from Humphries in this 39th leg of the night, but Littler is on a big fish.

Humphries, on 181, leaves himself 36.

A click of the dart denies Littler a 170 finish, and Humphries punishes it with a third set on the bounce to re-take the lead from 4-2 down – the World No 1 leads on 5-4!

Littler misses the big fish with his first dart, but takes 99 out of his target.

But Humphries can take a third leg here and the set… but he can’t find his mark and misses three arrows!

Littler despatches the darts and suddenly we’re going the distance once again!

Luke Littler can’t disguise his frustration after missing some crucial shots that allowed World No 1 Luke Humphries to claw back two straight sets.

The pressure must be mounting on the teenager, who has cooly disarmed every contender he has come up against so far in the World Darts Championship.

He can be seen grimacing, scrunching up his face in frustration and holding his head in his hands as the tide of match appears to turn against him.

There is still time for him to reverse the momentum…can he do it?

180s from both players on their second visits in the third leg and now Littler needs just 81.

Humphries is behind on 156, but again Littler spurns the opportunity and misses double 6.

Humphries hits 128 to keep the pressure on, but at the third opportunity Littler saves the set with a double 3 to keep his throw.

Littler is throwing like he was in the first at the moment, and it all feels just a bit forced.

But when he needs to inflict some pressure of his own he pulls back some serious ground to force Humphries into a 108 check out.

Oh he’s on the money at the moment – check out he does to take a 2-0 lead and continue his charge!

Littler is on throw for the first leg and needs 64 to do it, but misses tops to hand Humphries a chance on 108.

That’s why he’s the World No 1 – a nerveless double 16 to break throw in the ninth and take the lead.

You don’t need to be a darts specialist to know that we’re seeing something special out there.

You just can’t call it – just when Littler looked like running away with it, Humphries reeled him in like that big fish he’s already pulled out once tonight.

This has 100 per cent lived up to its billing as the World No 1 versus the teenage sensation and it looks like going the distance.

We’ve had eight pulsating sets of darts, each entirely different and epic in their own right, and we can still get another SEVEN!

This is a treat, a spectacle, and we’ve got the best seats in the house for it!

In case you’ve forgotten, Luke Littler is 16 years old. That means he does things that many 16-year-olds do, like post on Snapchat.

But rather than the usual array of night out photos and selfies you might expect on a typical teen’s feed, Littler has posted what might be the greatest Snapchat Story of all time: the backstage dartboard at Ally Pally.

Showcasing exactly why the cool-headed teen has acquired such a massive following, the picture was captioned simply: ‘To (sic) many messages out there see you in 10 mins.’

Didn’t he have anything else on his mind?

83 to start from Littler, followed by a punishing 140 – his 25th of the contest already.

Humphries is tha man in rhythm at the moment, and hits another 140, echoes immediately by the teenager.

Humphries needs 121 to take the set, and he levels the game in clinical fashion!

Didn’t flinch from it, and now it’s game on at four apiece!

This one just keeps on turning – you can’t take your eyes off it!

Humphries is averaging 116, while Littler is on just 101 in this set so far, and it is showing.

Humphries is on a 170 checkout again but doesn’t land the fish this time and sets himself up with 74.

Littler misses bull on a 121, before Humphries does the same on 74.

Can Littler get on the board in the eighth? YES HE CAN!

Emotions are running high in the Ally Pally’s West Hall as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are each refusing to give way in this absolute nail-biter of a final.

Can you imagine being inside the hall as this drama unfolds? Each dartsman unwilling to yield, a record-breaking number of 180s, Derek Chisora watching on…and as you turn to your side, there’s a man dressed as a banana.

This, truly, is what it means to be a darts fan.

Humphries is growing back into it now, and sinks another maximum to take the match tally to 25.

Humphries needs 41 to break and take charge of the eighth and does just that in 11.

This is the World No 1 that we saw in the first set, but will we get the same outcome?

Humphries has sealed the record number of 180s for a WDC tournament now as we see our 902nd!

Humphries needs 32 to seal the first leg on throw and does just that at the second ask.

We’ve already said it, but you really can’t call this one.

First one of these two looks like reeling off a proper run of legs, but then the other pulls out something incredible under the greatest of pressures.

Humphries now has a chance to get back on level terms in the eighth after a set of just crazy proportions.

Can the teenager bite back though and re-establish his lead?

It’s very tight at 302-304.

Who will blink first? Littler needs 170 to seal the set, but can’t quite make it.

Humphries gets yet ANOTHER 180, and now Littler can do it with double 2…

… AND HE MISSES!

And just like that, Humphries snatches from under his eyes and it’s the first sign of anger from Littler as he remonstrates with himself as he leaves the stage.

This has been relentless, it’s been unbelieveable, and there’s still so much more to come – First to seven wins it, remember!

The only place that might rival St Helen’s Darts Academy for noise tonight will be The Millhouse pub on the other side of town, where Luke Littler’s brother Leon pulls pints and dad Anthony Buckley is a regular.

Leon isn’t behind the bar tonight, reports MailOnline’s Richard Marsden; he’s watching the drama unfold in person at Ally Pally.

But family friend Siobhan Davies, who turned out with husband Martin and son Josh, told us: ‘We’ve all been watching Luke’s matches throughout the tournament. There’s huge interest because he’s a local lad, everyone seems to be talking about Luke.’

Martin added: ‘I wasn’t a darts fan but I am now. It’s been really exciting, especially because Luke is from Warrington. He’s put the town on the map.’

Landlady Lisa Leyland, who has laid on cans of Littler’s favourite tipple, Tango, for the occasion, said she has ‘never known such excitement’.

She continued: ‘It’s off the scale. Luke is only one step away from glory – and he’s only 16.

‘Even if he doesn’t win it he’s already done loads for the town by boosting the atmosphere and morale.’

And as for giving Leon the night off? It was never in doubt: he was ‘given the night off’, no questions asked.

Littler needs this one to keep his two-set lead in the tie, and is on a 122 check out to do just that.

Humphries needs 48 but the 16-year-old doesn’t give him the chance for a third ton out of the tie!

We’re going the distance in the seventh…

Not Littler’s best leg but he’s still within touching distance.

He leaves himself 94 with Humphries on 71 but he’s missed the big number and got only 31!

Littler needs this to hold throw and needs bull but just misses out by a hair’s breadth and gets just 25.

Humphries repairs the damage and takes the leg to take control in the set.

Humphries has missed an absolute sitter of an opportunity, missing all three opportunities at double 8.

Oh this is unbvelievable – Littler sneaks up on the World No 1 to sink tops and draw back level against the throw in the second leg!

Humphries sets himself up with 170 to finish on what would be a massive leg to lose after going 4-2 down…

And he hits the BIG FISH!

Humphries just looks to be second-guessing himself just as he lets fly, and now he’s knocked his own dart out treble 20 to score -60 with his third dart – it’s all happening now!

Littler needs 136 to add insult to injury but he’s missed that double 8 once more! He just can’t buy a double 8 at the minute!

But with his last dart, Littler opens up a two-set lead against the darts!

Is this the moment he races off? He leads the last 11 legs 9-2!

The Ally Pally’s West Hall might hold over 3,000 people but the biggest cheers for Luke Littler will be coming from St Helen’s Darts Academy, where the protege honed his skills on the road to global stardom.

MailOnline’s Richard Marsden has been at the club, east of Liverpool, where members and locals have shared their pride at the teenager’s achievements.

Darts professional Eleanor Cairns, 19, the 2022 Girls World Champion, trained alongside Littler.

She said: ‘He had a natural talent since the day he came here. Everyone was talking about him then and he has just proceeded to win more titles.

‘And now everyone knows about him. Everyone has heard the name Luke Littler. It has been incredible to watch. Win or lose I’ll be proud of him.’

Jake Callaghan, 10 – with the cool lightning bolt shirt – has played against Luke.

He said: ‘He is so good. I have played against him a few times and he is so hard to play against. I hope to be a good as him one day.’

Things are still tense even as Littler moves ahead 3-2 – hearts are in mouths at the club with every ebb and flow as they watch and pray for their lad to win.

177 to start the first leg, 180 in the second.

He follows up with 87, but Humphries is now on for a nine after 360 off his first six darts!

170 to do it… but the boos ring out after he misses his first and leaves himself on 76.

And Humphries misses out again! Just 60 from that visit and now Littler just needs the double 8…

AND HE GETS IT AGAIN!

Well, Littler is on a nine-darter but after four perfect darts he misses out and needs 184 from his next two visits.

Make that 16 now, with Humphries stranded on 211.

He’s not had the best of luck with that double 8 and again misses it three times!

He only needs the double 4 now and gets it first time with Humphries still on 170 to break!

Every single match we’ve thought Littler will meet his match, but nothing looks like it can stop him.

Can Humphries pull something out now on throw to keep him on the leash?

And here’s how he took the lead for the first time in the encounter on sets…

Here’s the moment that Littler began the turnaround in the second set after a rough-ride in the first.

Nerves of ice this guy, honestly.

Darts has never been short of fans – but the sheer number of famous faces at the Ally Pally tonight is a sign that the sport has truly entered the mainstream this year.

Littler can almost certainly take credit for bringing famous faces like Romeo Beckham, James Maddison and Derek Chisora to the event tonight.

In fact, Beckham, as we’ve reported, posted for an Instagram snap shared by girlfriend Mia Regan in which he pointed at a sign reading: ‘Super Luke Littler’.

Another 180 for Humphries – his 10th already – before he follows it up with just 43!

How about that for punishment – Littler then thumps in a 180!

He’s on 51 to take the fifth set… AND DOES!

LITTLER LEADS ON SETS!

Littler is the first to be within a check out of the third leg of the fifth on throw, needing 144 and leaves himself 16.

Humphries is breathing down his back with 56 though, and somehow Littler misses three at the double.

But Humphries can’t hit tops and Littler gets another chance.

He seals it with his fifth attempt, and with the drama subsiding he does take a lead in the set.

More boos after Humphries can only manage the five perfect darts to start the second leg.

The World No 1 just needs 60 to finish off with Littler on 246 and he should steal this one now… and he does with tops to seal the second leg on with 12 darts.

Here we go then in the fifth and Littler will throw first.

He nails a 180 – not a bad way to start, that.

Just the 60 next time up though, although Humphries is throwing a little more wayward at the start of this one.

The teenager misses double 8 to check out at 130 and needs only 16 to finish at the second checkout opportunity, and slams a double 8 home to get his nose ahead!

The match isn’t even halfway done with four of a potential 13 sets settled, two apiece, but that hasn’t stopped the internet from riffing on the tense face-off between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

X, formerly Twitter, is alive with memes on Luke’s early upset in the first set and the comeback he staged in both the second and fourth.

From the classic ‘call an ambulance…but not for me!’ meme to scenes of Denzel Washington disarming gunmen in The Equalizer, it’s a good time to be a darts fan online.

Nothing to separate these two at the moment – there’s a real ebb and flow to this final already.

Humphries was masterful in the opening throws but Littler has just kept nibbling back at him to keep within touching distance.

That foiurth set wasn’t the highest scorer but was all the more excrutiating and enthralling for it as both missed their chances to check out at the first opportunity.

We’ve already had four sets somehow – a maximumm of nine more to go!

A few boos after Littler misses the chance of a nine-darter at his second visit – slightly unfair you feel!

Littler misses his chance to check out at the first port of call but lets it slide and now he can do so on a double 15…

… after missing his mark first time round he eventually does in three arrows by thumping home a double 4 to take the second set and level it up!

What a game we have ahead of us!

Luke Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn, 21, has been a constant source of support for the record-breaking dartsman – and tonight is no different.

As Littler made his way onto the stage at the Ally Pally, there was a pause to get a tight embrace from his partner.

The pair have only been dating for a handful of weeks after meeting online while playing FIFA on their Xboxes – and there’s no denying she has stepped up to give him support as he stands on the edge of glory.

This fourth set is not the greatest quality we’ve seen tonight, but they all count.

Littler can clinch the third against the throw, and fires home a 180 at his second visit!

Humphries previous fluidity looks to have left him a touch, and now Littler can check out with 136.

Stand Up If You Love The Darts is of course flying around the arena as Littler misses his check out before the World No 1 gets his first leg of the set!

It’s a lower-scoring second leg in the fourth, but Littler gives himself 126 to win on throw, with Humphries on 112.

He doesn’t hit any of his marks though and still needs 72.

The World No 1 also misses out though with just 41 and the crowd roars for their favourite, but again he misses double tops!

Wow it’s a big let-off though as Humphries also misses the mark, and Littler polishes it off to go 2-0 up in the fourth!

Just the eight maximums to Humphries already, to Littler’s three.

Littler is again putting pressure on the Humphries throw and needs just 84 to check out, but can’t quite make it, but he is lucky as the World No 1 is not yet on a finish.

At the second chance though he does break with a double 10!

Another set heading into the fifth leg – this has been some drama already.

But now it’s Humphries who is in the ascendancy as he gets another maximum, before Littler has a bounce out!

Humphries just needs the bullseye to take the set as he looks to check out, but misses.

But after Littler looks to get back into it Humphries sinks his set dart into double 8!

Littler is just missing that treble 20 a little more often as he drags twice into treble 5.

Humphries responds with 180 of his own, and after 65 needs only 116 to check out and level the set.

Littler still needs 217 but Humphries is focussed on his own game, and takes the leg!

We can’t imagine how Luke Littler’s mum Lisa is feeling right now as she watches her 16-year-old son stand on the precipice of all-time glory.

But these photos certainly give us an idea of the knots her stomach must be in as she watched Luke Humphries take the first set, before Littler stormed back to win the second.

The teenager’s girlfriend, Eloise Milburn, will be feeling the tension in the room too – look at the concentration in her face as she wills her boyfriend on…

Littler is on throw now but Humphries is in a great position to break the teenager’s throw but looks a little hesitant as he leaves himself 138 to check out.

Littler, needing 70, misses on double 10 and Humphries breaks!

Littler’s in the groove now, and Humphries just doesn’t look quite as settled and assured after the recent onslaught from the 16-year-old.

Littler’s average is up to 99.31 as he begins to put some bigger scores on the board.

And it pays off as he takes the second leg too to go into pole position heading into the final leg of the third set.

Gaming’s most famous plumbers, Mario and Luigi – or rather, a pair of men dressed as them – are among those watching this momentous final in north London tonight.

They told Sky News they managed to get tickets ‘quite late on’ – as did a set of Oompa Loompas who snagged some ‘golden tickets’ of their own.

‘It’s a good bit of sport, everyone doesn’t take it too serious and get involved,’ ‘Mario’ told the broadcaster.

Littler with the throw at the start of the third of a maximum of 13 sets.

The teenager needs an 80 to check out…. and gets it!

Off the mark in the third set!

We’re all-square already and that second set was a real turnaround for Littler.

He looked on the brink of going two down but turned it around with a 141 and 120 out to level up before snatching the third leg!

Bring on more of the same!

Two sets in already!

Imagine winning the WDC and still being too young to truly go out and celebrate the greatest win of your life!

So easy to forget this guy is still a child at just 16. Mindboggling.

He’s awake noe alright – another 180 and suddenly the tide is with Littler. Humphries is now looking like letting slip the total control he had on this one.

Littler needs 120 to win it now, and seals it on a Shanghai!

SECOND SET LITTLER!

Littler, after breaking throw, is already down in the fourth leg after Humphries’ fifth maximum of the tie.

A few boos after Humphries misses a chance at a nine-darter.

But they quickly turn to cheers as Littler turns it on to take the fourth leg and suddenly he’s in with a shout to draw level again!

Littler is still not looking on it just yet and is at risk of going two sets down in a heartbeat.

But how does he respond? Only with a maximum to attack the Humphries throw!

But now Humphries gets one of his own and after both miss out on their first chance at a check out, Littler snatches it on double 15!

Footballers, sons of footballers, and now boxers – there doesn’t seem to be a sport that isn’t represented at the Alexandra Palace tonight.

Alongside Spurs’ James Maddison and Romeo Beckham (both pictured below), regional heavyweight champion boxer Derek Chisora has been spotted in the crowds watching the historic darts final.

Chisora is wearing a hat that appears to show Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers as Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed – we wonder what Chisora makes of darts’ very own clash of the titans tonight?

Another 180 to start off for Humphries and Littler just misses the chance to match him with a 140 of his own.

Another trebleless visit takes Littler’s total up to 12 already!

134 from Humphries leaves him 87 to finish off the second leg of this second set, but he can only manage 82 leaving double 5 to win again…

… And he does just that!

Humphries gets us going in the second set, and it’s another poor start for Littler who is averaging just 87.05 so far.

The leader buries a 180 to lead by 270 and Littler can only pull back 60, before Humphries takes the first leg.

Here’s how the World No 1 took that rapid first set.

Littler did go a set down to Cross in the last round, and look how he bounced back in that one – will we get a repeat tonight?

Littler just slightly hesitates going for a maximum and hands Humphries a chance to take the first set, which the World No 1 misses out on!

Littler pulls out a 180 but it’s not enough and Humphries seals the first set in pretty comfortable fashion!

Third leg already now with Littler getting us going.

He’s not doing too well though and registers a seventh trebleless visit already and he’s got ground to make up here.

Both are on the Shanghai finish… Humphries misses first up, and Littler turns it down, before Huhmphries gets the first break of throw to go 2-1 up!

First maximum of the encounter for Humphries to leave himself 47, which he misses out on the first opportunity and needs just a double eight to even things up.

He misses first time, but takes the second opportunity!

Walking In a Littler Wonderland is being absolutely belted out around Ally Pally making it pretty difficult to hear anything else as we finally get underway!

Just 44 from Littler first up matched by 100 by Humphries for the first throws before Littler leaves himself a 164 to checkout, which he misses first time to leave a further 40.

But after Humphries misses his own chance, Littler checks out with tops!

David Beckham’s son Romeo and his girlfriend Mia Regan are among those in the Ally Pally’s west hall tonight watching Luke Littler take on Luke Humphries.

Regan posted an image of Romeo wearing a Paddy Power headpiece as he holds up a sign reading: ‘Super Luke Littler’.

She then posted another sign with the playful taunt used by many against Littler in the tournament, in light of his age: ‘He’s got school in the morning!’

There are a couple of boos in the crowd for Humphries as he makes his way out to DNCE’s Cake By The Ocean – he’s definitely read the room, though, and it gets the thousands of darts fans in the house even more pumped up for this one – not that they needed it!

A few final warm-up darts for the pair are all that stands between us and the final now.

Man that kid looks like confidence and composure personified.

It may as well be a walk out to the shops for some milk – that’s how bothered he looks.

He heads straight for his family and partner for a last-minute hug and worlds of wisdom before he takes up his post on the stage to await Humphries’ arrival.

Here we go then – cue the music it’s time for the walk-outs!

First up is the teen sensation Littler…

Not to put too much pressure on his shoulders after one stunning tournament run, but Wayne Mardle reckons that Littler could become the GOAT.

While we have seen some big names fall afoul of the Nuke so far in the last week or so, are we maybe – just maybe – running the risk of jumping a little bit ahead of ourselves.

One thing you would say though is that Littler seems to not be paying too much attention to all the noise around him – and it’s fair to say that’s put him in good stead.

Check out more of what Mardle had to say as we tick ever closer to the walkouts at Ally Pally.

Here’s a look at some of the teenage sensations that Littler is just a few hours away from joining…

Luke Littler will throw first!

In the practice room ahead of the start of this one the youngster has taken the bull and will throw first in this one!

Let’s not read too much into that, but it’s always to start with as many positives behind you as possible.

The would-be Luke Littlers of the future have been practising their skills at the prodigy’s local darts club in Warrington.

St Helen’s Darts Academy has a dartboard established in honour of Littler as well as other legends like Raymond van Barneveld and Lisa Ashton.

But it’s the 16-year-old’s board that has been getting all of the attention tonight, with young fans in their own darts shirts practicing ahead of the final tonight.

We’re a big fan of Jake Callaghan’s shirt – all lightning bolts and a big dartboard right in the middle, in case you missed why he’s excited.

After a few rounds on the board, the entire club is settling in to watch, waving signs with messages like ‘Nuke ’em Luke’.

The club wrote on Facebook: ‘All our players and committee are so proud of you Luke.’ We’ve got something in our eye over here.

Luke Humphries ripped Scott Williams to shreds last night – in fact his winning average was the eighth highest in WDC history at 108.74.

The match-ups that saw greater numbers read like a darting Mount Rushmore with the likes of Van Gerwen, Van Barneveld, Taylor dominating.

Not bad company to be in, right?

There’s been some talk at Ally Pally in the studio about just how massive it would be if Littler went the distance…

Would it be the biggest achievement in sport? Would it be a bigger accomplishment than some of the heroics we’ve seen in the past?

Think Stokes at Headingley, Raducanu at the US Open, Leicester in 2015-16 – would this be better than the rest?

These two have been on stunning runs at the WDC – and it’s turned a few heads from other sports too!

Fans will be taking their seats any time now for the World Darts Championship final – but for those who weren’t lucky enough to get the highly coveted briefs, what is it like inside the hallowed halls of Alexandra Palace?

Sports writer Kieran Gill is there, and has been sharing footage of an empty Ally Pally – with stadium-style seating and hall-length tables laid out for those fortunate enough to be witnessing history tonight.

Those seated at the tables running the length of the venue will find themselves the lucky recipients of some Paddy Power merchandise. The bookmaker is the title sponsor of the event.

Among the goodies? Badges, hats and…underpants. Each to their own.

For those of you just joining us unaware of what we have on offer tonight, then firstly what rock have you been hiding under!

Luke Littler has absolutely torn up, set fire to and scattered the ashes of the script and torn through the World Darts Championship to make the final on his tournament debut.

Oh, he’s also 16.

And despite knocking out a couple of former champions already along the way, he’s now got to beat the World No 1 and pre-tournament favourite in Luke Humphries, who had a sublime 2023 that saw him pick up three major honours on his way to a superb run at Ally Pally.

We’re not quite straying into ‘what ifs’ just yet – but there is an opportunity tonight to write one of the great stories of all time. Not just in darts, but in sport.

We’ve not got long until we’re expecting to get our stars out on the stage tonight, and you really, truly will not want to miss this one!

Can anything faze Luke Littler? Pressed by Sky Sports News earlier on his chances, he refused to rate his own chances ahead of the match against Luke Humphries.

Instead, he spoke of his pride at inspiring other would-be future darts stars. He is, as ever, completely unflappable.

He told the broadcaster: ‘I’ve been proud of myself since I won my first game. I set my goal to win my first game, come back after Christmas and that’s it, I’ve not set any more goals.

‘I’m not going to set one tonight, just hope I’m going to win it because you never know.

‘It’s unbeliveable. If I’m on it, I can beat anyone, and I’ve beat three world champions.

‘I’m in the top 32 now so I’ll be going almost everywhere on the tour. I can’t wait for it. Winning all these games, I’m just letting it go and getting onto the next one.

‘I’m not going to set any goals to try and win it tonight: Luke’s got a quick throw, I’ve got a quick throw so it’s going to suit both of us tonight.

‘I’ve checked my TikTok, there’s so many youngsters playing, it’s good. I give them a comment saying “keep it up” and that. It’s crazy what I’ve done for the sport.’

In fairness, it’s a ridiculously catchy tune.

I’ve been whistling it for the last week myself.

For any of you at home thinking ‘I could do that, darts isn’t that hard!’ then think again.

How long do you reckon Littler spends honing his craft, though?

That magic figure of 10,000 hours? A couple a day?

Both wrong answers, I’m afraid!

Take a look at the story below to find out just how much the Nuke spends practicing on average – and I promise you won’t quite believe it!

Here it is – the Sid Waddell Trophy, the one they’re both in the house to lift at the end of the night (featuring a rogue hoover…)!

Who’s it going to be lifting that majestic piece of silverware tonight? Who you backing?

A little under an hour away until we expect to see the two stars of the show at Ally Pally.

Luke Littler is already cashing in on his newfound fame – with the teen prodigy’s officially licensed darts sold out despite costing £102 each.

Experts reckon that Littler will be in line for lucrative corporate tie-ins and sponsorships regardless of tonight’s result and sales of his official darts seem to suggest they’re on the money, literally.

Officially licensed darts produced by Target, emblazoned with his ‘The Nuke’ logo on the flights, sell for £102.95 on both its website and third-party retailers. The ‘Swiss tip’ hard point darts are sold out until February, while soft tip darts are still in stock.

Usain Bolt in 2008 grabbed the headlines for his somewhat unexpected preparation for his astounding 100m gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, when he revealed his build up included some chicken nuggets and a nap.

It would appear that Littler has taken a similar route of relaxation ahead of a night that will surely be full of nerves and tension.

We saw earlier what Littler has been getting up to earlier today, but surely his ham and cheese omelette – and a pizza – takes the proverbial biscuit?!

He’s a man of his word, too, having promised that’s exactly how he would gera up for the WDC final on beating Cross last night.

‘I’ll do what I’ve been doing,’ he said on Tuesday. ‘In the morning, go for a ham and cheese omelette, then come here have a pizza and then practice!

‘That’s what I’ve done every day.’

Warrington is behind Luke Littler tonight as he prepares to square up to Luke Humphries in the PDC World Championship final – with one pub even getting in a case of Tango, one of his favourite drinks, for the night ahead.

The Millhouse pub in the town has cancelled its weekly pub quiz for the game, and has put up banners reading ‘Come on The Nuke!’ and ‘Luke “The Nuke” Littler: One of our own!’ as it shows the event on big screen TVs.

Littler might not be old enough to buy a drink at the watering hole but his brother Leon, 20, pulls pints behind the bar and dad Anthony Buckley is a regular.

Landlady Lisa Leyland is all smiles as she poses with darts – and a case of the fizzy orange drink that the darts prodigy likes to pair with a kebab – while a few locals have been trying their hand at matching the local lad’s talent on the pub’s dartboard.

As punters piled in, Lisa said of his meteoric rise: ‘It’s brilliant. It’s absolutely brilliant. It’s amazing. I get a bit emotional about it.’

Littler has become so popular in his hometown that Hot Spot takeaway has rebranded its doner wrap, chips and mayonnaise meal as ‘Luke Littler’s Favourite Kebab’.

Connor Gough, 27, watching the game in a town centre bar, said: ‘He’s doing the town proud and he’s got the whole town talking about darts too.’

How about this for a touch of class from Rob Cross?

The 2018 champion was beaten 6-1 despite taking the first set last night, but went straight over to Littler to shake his hand and wish him all the best!

This isn’t a one-off either by the way.

Here’s a little look at Littler nailing a nine-darter at just 14…

Wondering what it’s like at the heart of it all tonight?

Well our man Kieran Gill is at Ally Pally this evening, and here’s just a taster of how things have been heating up ahead of one of the most highly-anticipated games of darts of all time…

Ah, the inevitable half-and-half scarves that seem to plague most sporting events…

A polarising topic in the right crowds, but on a night like tonight – and at the darts no less – you’d be surprised if that’s the biggest fashion faux pas come the end of the evening…

Is there anything better than being World No 1 in your craft?

Well maybe winning the World Championship the very next day – and that’s exactly what Luke Humphries is out here trying to achieve tonight…

Luke Littler isn’t just breaking darts records – he’s smashing TV milestones too.

A peak of 2.32million people watched his barnstorming semi-final win over Rob Cross on Tuesday night, according to Sky Sports – up 165 per cent on last year’s semi-finals and twice the previous viewing record.

The last record was set in January 2015 when Gary Anderson beat 16-times world champ Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

Sky says the figures are on a par with live Premier League, Carabao Cup and Championship playoff peaks – so next time someone tells you darts is niche, you can point to this and tell them to think again.

PDC chairman Eddie Hearn posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the viewing figures were ‘bigger than the Ashes’.

And he’s not wrong: Sky said an average of 965,000 people tuned in across the four days at Headingley in the summer, the highest ever for a Test match.

‘Last night Littler v Cross smashed the record with 2.32m audience! Bigger than the Ashes, bigger than the Ryder Cup let’s break 3m tonight for the final,’ Hearn wrote.

How does one become a darts prodigy at 16…? Asking for a friend.

Well, as with all things there’s got to be a healthy combo of nature and nurture, but you surely need the right teachers showing you the ropes along the way.

Take a lookat the St. Helens talaent factory that might have helped produced a world champion by the end of the night.

As a double winner of this one, as well as almost a dozen other major honours, Gary Anderson should know a thing or two about crackers at the darts.

Dare we fall into the trap of thinking back to what we were doing when we were just 16?

Pretty sure preparing for a WDC final at Ally Pally tops revising for a GCSE chemistry mock exam…

True to form, Littler was full of jokes about that clash in 2019 ahead of tonight’s match.

It’s only the biggest day of your sporting career, Luke!

At this point, feels like I’m more nervous than he is about it…

Tonight is going to be a herculean clash between the two Lukes, but believe it or not they’ve actually squared off once before.

And no it wasn’t at Ally Pally or any of the great sporting venues that might spring to mind, but in the Hayling Island quarter-final in the halcyon days of November 2019.

Littler was 12 – still staggering that that’s only four years ago – and was edged out by a 24-year-old Humphries on the night.

Who’d have thought that they’d be here on tonight’s stage later just a few years later?

You can take a look at that one at the link below.

Then again, the teenager didn’t exactly scrape through his own last-four tie either with Rob Cross…

Humphries didn’t just beat Scott Williams by the way, he whitewashed him 6-0 in a truly, terrifyingly, dominant performance.

Littler is the story of the tournament, and I think even Luke Humphries would be the first to admit that he has been nothing short of sensational.

But his opponent tonight would be the name on everyone else’s lips if it weren’t for the teenage star.

Humphries had only really enjoyed a middling career in darts up until the turn of 2023, never making it past the semis at a major tournament.

But 2023 saw the start of one of the most dominant 12-month periods in the game, with Humphries picking up the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals – and he could add the WDC tonight!

Yes, Littler has honestly been pretty breath-taking, but let’s not forget that his opponent has been on one hell of a ride himself in the last year or so!

We’re what, three days into 2024? Are we already looking at the sporting story of the year?

So put yourself in Littler’s shoes for a moment.

It’s the morning of the biggest day of your entire life, how do you get yourself in the mood to carve your name in the annals of sporting history?

A ham and cheese omelette? Yeah, same.

Here he is, the man of the moment…

It’s just breath-taking how unfazed this guy is by the whole ‘a couple of hours away from sporting immortality’ thing.

So, what’s the big fuss all about? After all, it’s just two blokes chucking some tiny arrows at a board, right?

Oh you could not be more wrong.

Littler has turned the sport on its head over the course of the last month or so, undergoing a transformation the likes of which nobody would have expected – not even your uncle who claims his mate’s dog’s friend’s goldfish put a fiver on Leicester to win the league in 2016.

Tonight the kid from Warrington could become the youngest ever winner of the WDC in his first appearance.

Don’t underestimate how seismic this is; nobody has done this, nobody thought anyone could get to this point, and it’s pretty likely that nobody ever will again.

All he’s got to do is beat the best ranked player in the entire world. Should be easy right?

Forget the Olympics, forget the Euros – we’ve got THE sport event of 2024 coming your way tonight.

That’s right, it’s the PDC World Darts Championship final coming live from Alexandra Palace directly to your feeds as we take you through what has the potential to arguably be the greatest underdog story in sporting history!

16-year-old unseeded Luke Littler takes on World No 1 Luke Humphries tonight at Ally Pally on his tournament debut. Does it get bigger than that?!

We’re expecting the pair out on stage at around 8.00pm, which gives us a little over two hours to build up to what will be a titanic night of darts that none of us will be forgetting in a huryy, so don’t you go anywhere.