LUKE LITTLER has the FAITH he can dominate darts this Christmas – thanks to the love and support of his girlfriend.
The Nuke, 18, is smashing it up on the board and his life away from the oche is in a positive place, too.
A relationship with teenager Faith Millar blossomed during the latter stages of the Premier League and then the pair went public, first on Instagram and secondly when he lifted the World Matchplay in Blackpool in July.
It is noticeable that since the summer, as they spent more time together, he has gone on this incredible streak, destroying everyone in his path and becoming the darts world No.1.
Beautician Faith was with him in Australia and New Zealand as he collected World Series of Darts trophies.
And she was by his side as he reigned supreme at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals in an incredible autumn spell.
Give ’em Mitch-ell
Mitchell Lawrie, 15, two wins from eclipsing Littler and claiming £50k
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She is his second known long-term partner after he split last year from Eloise Milburn, who was by his side as he reached the World final for the first time in January 2024.
Littler said: “It’s just obviously good to meet someone and grow that relationship.
“You guys don’t see what happens in the background, but she’s very supportive for me. When I’m on the oche, that’s all I need.
“Yeah, she has helped. Obviously, I went on that great run since Australia.
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“When I lose, we’ll go back to the hotel or go back to the house or even drive back home, depending on where it is.
“Sometimes I’ll say it is what it is. At one Pro Tour, when I lost to Matt Campbell, I think he had a 104 against me.
“She was waiting outside and I said: ‘That’s darts for you, Matt’s not played that well in a very long time.’
“She was like, ‘alright, fair enough’. Then we just got on our way.
“Obviously, in the majors and stuff, the Matchplay and the Grand Prix, we kept winning and we kept getting our hopes up for a title. That’s what we’ve done so far.
“Obviously, the relationship we’ve got now is very strong and long may it continue.”
Littler’s title defence begins on Thursday night when he will be in game three on the opening night – against Darius Labanauskas from Lithuania – in the expanded World Championship.
For the first time, there will be 128 players in the field and to win the £1million jackpot, he would need to win seven games in a row at Ally Pally.
Littler said: “Everyone’s going to talk about me. And obviously if I’m up for it, if I’m up for the task.
“I’ve proved so many people wrong over the past two years, as soon as I started on the tour.
“It’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to win titles. And yeah, this World Championship is going to be very different. But just get through that first game…”
A few months ago, the Warrington lad finally passed his driver’s test, having struggled with the theory part on seven occasions.
His new £39,000 BMW is racking up the road miles as he travels locally, often to see Faith.
But he will not get behind the steering wheel for the 191-mile, three-and-a-half hours journey to the capital.
Littler said: “Will I drive myself to Ally Pally? No. Probably not.
“The other day we went to London for a shoot that I’d done and I said to my dad: ‘You can drive! I’m not driving to London just yet.’
“I didn’t drive. My dad did. I’ll let my dad drive into London.”
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