Luke Littler’s emergence as a global superstar has many questioning whether he will continue playing darts for a long time.
Unlike many PDC professionals, Littler is more than just a darts player, and the 19-year-old has dipped his fingers into several pies since bursting onto the scene.
The Nuke has appeared on mainstream TV programmes such as Bullseye and the Brit Awards, while making appearances on podcasts and YouTube videos.
A trailblazer for a new generation of talented darts players, but also an “influencer” in the rapidly evolving digital world, Littler could comfortably retire early and still have success due to the fame he’s garnered.
Luke Littler could retire from darts early
The teenager’s growing fame away from the oche has led many to predict he will retire early, and former PDC superstar Adrian Lewis has questioned his longevity.
“He’s opened that many doors for himself because he can basically do whatever he wants. I mean, look, he was at the Brit Awards, wasn’t he? Last week,” Lewis said on the Double Tops podcast.
“He can basically do what he wants. I think he’s getting bored.
“If he’s not practicing now, he’s not going to be practicing in 10 years, 15 years, is he?”
Littler has already decreased his schedule by choosing against competing in the Players Championship, having established a huge lead on Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit.
But that decision was made with his best interests in mind, and there are no signs that his dominance in the PDC will slow down, at least not in 2026.
Glen Durrant questions Littler’s longevity
Just over two years on from becoming a professional darts player, Littler has won 12 major titles, trailing only Michael van Gerwen (48) and Phil Taylor (87) in the all-time rankings.
There is already talk of him being the most talented player ever, and that statement is perhaps undeniable.
However, regardless of his ability, former Premier League champion Glen Durrant thinks Littler’s rapid rise to celebrity stardom could see him exit the sport sooner than expected.
“He’s not a dart player, he’s a celebrity. He’s one of the most famous people in Britain,” Durrant said.
“That’s why I admire the likes of James Wade, Steve Beaton — longevity.
“I’ve got Michael van Gerwen in that as well. Players who have won everything multiple times, yet they’re still motivated to do it.”
Durrant questions whether Littler will stay motivated after winning everything, and we will soon find out if he will, as he only needs to lift the European Championship to complete a career Grand Slam.
