Luke Littler’s stratospheric rise has continued as he was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Littler is one of six nominees for the accolade alongside Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, Paris gold medallists Keely Hodgkinson and Alex Yee, England cricketer Joe Root and Paralympic icon Sarah Storey.
The winner of the prestigious award will be announced during the TV show on December 17.
Littler’s nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award comes four days after he was named as one of three candidates to win the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year accolade alongside Sky Brown and William Ellard.
Reacting to the news of his latest nomination, Littler wrote on X: “This is MADDDD. first young sports personality and now sports personality of the year… huge thank you to @BBCSport for nominating me. never thought I would be saying that”.
Hodgkinson, who won gold in the women’s 800m at Paris, is considered the favourite to win the award, with Littler considered second-favourite.
In November, Littler stated winning the award would be ‘a big thing’ but hadn’t given it much attention.
“The person in first. Is it a runner?” Littler said.
“People don’t really class us as athletes do they?
“So, if I’m second [favourite] to win it, that’ll do.”
To say it has been a remarkable year for Littler would not do his achievements justice.
At the age of 16 and ranked 164th in the world, Littler captured the attention of the world during his record-breaking run to the final of the World Darts Championships.
He pushed world No. 1 Luke Humphries all the way in a match that was watched by a staggering 3.75 million people.
The viewing numbers made the event Sky Sports’ most-watched non-footballing event in history.
Over the course of the year, Littler collected a whopping 10 trophies, including the Premier League Darts title.
Littler also had to bide his time when it came to winning a PDC ranked televised event.
He had three first-round exits at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and the European Championship but finally got over the hump at the Grand Slam of Darts in November, blasting past Martin Lukeman in the final.
Littler nearly made it two ranked televised wins in a row as he made it to the final of the Players Championship, only to fall short against Humphries once again.
As a result of his exploits on the oche, Littler’s career earnings have surpassed the £1m mark.
Thanks to his newfound wealth, Littler moved into a luxurious five-bedroom detached pad in October alongside his parents.
The teenager signed a year’s lease on the property, which will set him back a cool £6,000-a-month.
Littler’s full focus is now on the World Darts Championship, which begins on December 15.
The 17-year-old will face either Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle in the second round at the Alexandra Palace on Saturday, December 21.
Where to buy Luke Littler’s darts range
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has released a collection with Target Darts, with prices starting at just £14.95.
Choose from darts, hardware and accessories endorsed by the Grand Slam of Darts Champion 2024, or pick up The Nuke’s purple playing shirt, on the Target Darts website.
Highlights include:
