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Luke Littler could become youngest darts world champion tonight – what you need to know | UK News

Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler will become the youngest darts world champion of all time if he beats three-time winner Michael van Gerwen in tonight’s final.

It’s no small task for the darting star – but he’ll have few doubters after a breakthrough 12 months which has seen him win 10 trophies.

Despite his age, Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke”, already has valuable experience of the World Darts Championship final, having made it there last year before getting beaten by world number one Luke Humphries.

The teen has fast become one of the sport’s biggest names – but how did he get here?

Here’s everything you need to know about the darting prodigy – from learning to play in nappies as a toddler to building new rivalries.

Playing darts at 18 months old

Luke Littler celebrates winning their semi-final match against Stephen Bunting (not pictured) on day fifteen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London. Picture date: Thursday January 2, 2025.
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Luke Littler celebrates winning his semi-final match against Stephen Bunting. Pic: PA

He may only be a teenager but Littler, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been practising his throwing for some time.

He previously told Sky News: “There’s a video on YouTube of me when I was 18 months in a nappy listening to Raymond van Barneveld’s music, listening to Phil Taylor’s music, doing their celebrations.

“That’s when it started – 18 months and in a nappy on a magnetic board.

“[Aged] four or five I was on a proper board but it was a bit low and then about seven to eight, that’s when I started playing [at] the proper height and the proper length. So it’s just been all darts in my life so far.”

Talent is one thing, but having the right support system to nurture it is just as important.

The teen clearly thinks a lot of his parents, who he said were “proud” of what he had achieved so far.

All eyes were on the teenager as he walked out for the match. Pic: PA
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All eyes were on the teenager as he walked out for the semi-final. Pic: PA

“They just can’t believe [it], I can’t believe it myself,” he told Sky News during the world championships last year.

“But it’s just good to have a set of parents who are supportive and that are always there for me and I’ve got a good management team around me. So it’s just the best group of people that can be around me, to be honest.”

For coaches and friends who watched Littler play at St Helens Darts Academy in his early years, his rapid rise in the professional game is no surprise.

“He was averaging stupid averages that you should be [getting at] like 16 to 20 years old, but he was doing it at 10,” his former coach Karl Holden told Sky News.

“He was special then,” he added.

Eleanor Cairns, who has known the 17-year-old for five years and is also a darts player, told Sky News Littler has got a “natural throw” and showed natural talent “from the start”.

But she believes his success comes down to far more than just being gifted.

“I know he does a lot of practice for the competitions,” Ms Cairns said.

“Luke never really stops playing darts throughout the week either, so he’s definitely always throwing. It does take a lot, but I know he’s worked hard for it.”

Awards, fans and fame

Littler accepts BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. Pic: PA
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Littler accepts BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. Pic: PA

Littler’s celebrity status has risen with every dart he’s thrown.

His Instagram account went from 4,000 followers at the start of last year’s tournament to over 450,000 by the final. Now it’s at 1.5 million.

Not only that – the teenager’s prize earnings have now topped £1m.

If he wins tonight, he’ll add £500,000 to his prize pot – and even if he loses he’ll get £250,000.

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Littler talks fame during last world championships

His light-hearted interviews and extraordinary performances led to Littler being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 last month, having been beat to the senior award by 800m runner Keely Hodgkinson.

Posting on X, Littler called the public’s recognition a “huge honour”.

“Support this year has been amazing and [I] want to say thank you to everyone who voted and sent messages,” he said.

The teenager admitted his life has drastically changed as a result of his success.

This time last year, he told Sky Sports his life had already changed.

“I’m doing interviews with Sky Sports. Usually I am up in the morning watching Sky Sports News. Now I am on the news. It’s all incredible. I am taking it all in my stride,” said Littler.

Now, he said it’s at a completely different level.

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Fans cheer on Littler before semi-final

Asked if he can walk down the street or go to the shop without being bothered, he laughed and told Sky Sports News: “Not really. Because it’s only a small town and you get spotted everywhere. But I don’t mind taking pictures and seeing all the fans.”

His career so far

It was his remarkable run to the world championship final last year which made Littler a household name, but his talent had been evident for some time.

He won the England Youth Grand Prix in 2019, became England Youth Open champion in 2021 and won his first senior title at the Irish Open later that year.

He won the Welsh Open in 2022 and in 2023 notched further senior titles at the Isle of Man Classic, Gibraltar Open, British Open and British Classic.

He was also back-to-back JDC World Champion and reigning World Youth Champion.

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But 2024 saw record-breaking success for Littler on the senior stage, seeing him become just the fourth player ever to win 10 trophies in a season.

Even he cannot quite believe how much he has achieved in his debut year, crediting his early victory at the Bahrain Masters, in which he hit a nine-darter, with spurring him on.

“I just wanted to win a few Pro Tours, but obviously winning Bahrain, the World Series, and then it was just European Tours, Pro Tours, and just all the titles I’ve picked up. It just goes to show how well I’ve been playing,” he told Sky Sports News at the end of November.

“It was good to win Bahrain, the first tournament of 2024. I’ve put my hands on it and I just had to build from it there and that’s what I’ve done.”

But he isn’t content with 10.

“I could potentially end the year on 11, couldn’t I? But yeah, I’ve set another record”, Littler said.

“I’ve put my name into the other players who have won 10 titles this year. But like I said, potentially it could be 11 by next year and I’ll try and break the record.

“I got the runner-up on my first go, but yeah, I’d like to win it… I think I can win it.”

Road to the final

Bunting congratulated Littler as the 17-year-old booking his place in the final. Pic: PA
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Bunting congratulated Littler as the 17-year-old booking his place in the final. Pic: PA

After being exempt from the first round due to being seeded, Littler started the Alexandra Palace tournament with a surprisingly tough bout against Ryan Meikle in round two, recovering from a slow start to dominate the closing stages of the contest, wrapping up a 3-1 victory.

Next up was Ian White in round three, who gave the teenager another scare, forcing a tight opening set before winning the second. But Littler kept a cool head to eventually see his opponent off with a 4-1 win.

Round four saw a 4-3 thriller between Littler and Ryan Joyce, where the favourite never trailed, but was pushed to the limit by his unseeded opponent as he was repeatedly pegged back.

Littler then hit form, hitting 15 maximums against Nathan Aspinall in a 5-2 quarter-final win before thrashing 39-year-old Stephen Bunting 6 sets to 1 to set up the dream Van Gerwen finale.

Growing rivalry with Van Gerwen

Michael van Gerwen embraces Luke Littler after winning Premier League match in May. Pic: PA
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Michael van Gerwen embraces Luke Littler after winning a Premier League match in May. Pic: PA

This will be the 13th match-up between the two biggest faces in darts: Littler and Van Gerwen, having won six each in various competitions this year.

The head-to-head might look even, but there has been a stark contrast between the pair’s past 12 months; while Littler has won 10 titles, his Dutch counterpart failed to win a televised tournament in a calendar year for the first time since 2011.

The final is by far the most important meeting between the pair yet, as Van Gerwen, 35, seeks a fourth world title and Littler a first.

If Littler wins, he will also break Van Gerwen’s record as the youngest ever world champion, as the Dutchman won his first aged 24.

The 17-year-old believes time is firmly on his side to get that record wrapped up.

“Well, I know Michael van Gerwen holds the youngest at 24, so I’ve got seven years,” Littler told Sky Sports News.

“I could just slouch about for six years and then just win it when I’m 24.

“But no, I’d like to obviously win it before Michael won it. It’d mean everything. So to be the youngest, that’s definitely what I’d be looking for.”

Despite the jabs, there is no doubt huge respect between the pair.

Asked about Van Gerwen, Littler said: “As I got older, I watched darts more and more. The first one [Van Gerwen match] I remember was the 2017 final when he beat Gary [Anderson].

“He’s been around for years and years and I’m sure he won’t change for anyone.”

Van Gerwen said of Littler: “I think he’s great. What he’s done for the sport is great. Fair play to him.

“Television and social media is big which helps him. It’s good for darts in general. I don’t mind.”

Coverage of the pair’s epic showdown begins live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm tonight.

Section of M25 to close again tonight – as drivers warned not to get complacent | UK News

A seven-mile stretch of the M25 is set to shut in both directions from tonight for the second of five planned weekend closures.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area of the closure – between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey – from 9pm on Friday to 6am on Monday morning.

Drivers have also been urged to stick to the planned 19-mile diversion route, which will send vehicles through parts of Surrey and Greater London.

It is the second of five planned closures of the motorway, and comes after a section between junctions 10 and 11 was shut in March.

On that occasion, fears diversion routes would become overwhelmed proved unfounded, as traffic levels were more than two-thirds lower than normal after a widespread awareness campaign.

However, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade says there is a “very real” risk that the lack of disruption in March means some motorists will not heed warnings to replan journeys this weekend.

“We’ve upped the amount of correspondence that we’ve been sending out to try and counter that, but it remains an issue,” he says.

A map showing the M25 closure and the diversion route between junctions 9 and 10 in May 2024
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A map showing the M25 closure and the diversion route between junctions 9 and 10 in May 2024

Those set to be those travelling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to be affected as National Highways has warned it expects long delays.

Other stretches of the M25 will also be disrupted this weekend due to ongoing work to retrofit additional emergency stopping areas on smart motorway sections.

What are the diversion routes?

Diversion route clockwise for all but over-height vehicles:
Leave M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate). Follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston. After 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston. After 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston. Continue for 3 miles and turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10.

Diversion route anticlockwise for all but over-height vehicles:
Leave M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 9½ miles at the Hook interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate. Continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate. Continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25. After 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.

Meanwhile, Mr Wade warned drivers will be subjected to London’s ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) rules if they move off official diversion routes during this weekend’s M25 closure.

National Highways said anyone ignoring diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.

Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.

Diversion routes will take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s ULEZ area.

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National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade told the PA news agency: “Although the (ULEZ) cameras will be active, no enforcement action will be taken.

“However, if you ignore the diversion signs and do your own thing, then if your vehicle’s not compliant you do run the risk of getting caught.

“You’ll be perfectly safe as long as you follow the diversion routes.”

Works are ongoing. Pic: National Highways South-East/X
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The M25 was closed in March to allow for the demolition of a bridge. Pic: National Highways South-East/X

A view of traffic approaching junction 10 of the M25
Pic: PA
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A view of traffic approaching junction 10 of the M25 prior to the closure in March
Pic: PA

Read more from Sky News:
Everything you need to know ahead of the M25 closing
Aerial pictures show calm amid M25 gridlock fears

RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson also warned drivers not to rely on their sat navs during the closure.

“Planning ahead is absolutely vital,” she said.

“Rather than relying on a sat nav, check the planned diversion routes ahead of time and be prepared for long delays.

“It’s also a really good idea to check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels, tyre pressure and tread depth all before setting off to reduce the chances of a very unwelcome breakdown.”

National Highways say this weekend’s closure is to allow for the installation of a new bridge between junction 9 and junction 10.

The previous closure was to allow for the demolition of Clearmount bridleway bridge between junction 10 and junction 11 and the installation of a large gantry.

Three more weekend closures of the M25 are set to take place between August and the end of the year.

The project, due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10, which is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.

Northern Lights could be visible over parts of the UK tonight | UK News

The Northern Lights could be visible across northern parts of the UK tonight, the Met Office has said.

The phenomenon, also known as Aurora Borealis, often appears above Iceland and Norway but is only occasionally visible from the UK.

Generally, sightings are limited to Scotland.

According to the Met Office, a “combination of fast solar winds” and the “recent arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejection from the sun” could cause a display on Sunday evening into Monday morning.

The Northern Lights are the result of particles from the sun being carried on solar winds and then interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere after being channelled to the polar regions by the planet’s magnetic field.

According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, different gases have different effects on the colour of the display.

Green indicates solar particles interacting with oxygen, while purple, blue or pink hues are caused by nitrogen.

Read more:
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A deep red can sometimes be seen as a result of solar particles interacting with oxygen at very high altitudes.

Only under “severe space weather conditions” can the lights be seen throughout the UK – even then, star-gazers need a clear sky and less light pollution.

Tonight could be coldest January night for 14 years – with ‘bitterly cold’ days to come | UK News

Tonight could be the coldest January night in 14 years, with -15C possible in some parts of Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Joanna Robinson said if this temperature is reached, it would be the lowest on a January night since 2010.

It would also be the lowest temperature for winter 2023/24 so far.

The freezing temperatures and snow are expected to continue for much of Britain this week because of cold Arctic air.

Get the five-day forecast where you are here

A snowplough on the A66 near Keswick in Cumbria. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A "cold plunge of Arctic air" has moved south across the whole country over the past few days, making it 5C-6C lower than usual for this time of year, the Met Office said. Picture date: Tuesday January 16, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
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A snowplough on the A66 near Keswick in Cumbria

And this is expected to be replaced by “potentially disruptive” stormy weather which lands over the weekend.

A “cold plunge of Arctic air” has moved south across the whole country over the past few days, making it 5C to 6C lower than usual for this time of year, the Met Office said.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “It’s staying cold until Friday, and then looking further ahead into the weekend we’ve got some deep areas of low pressure pushing in, so a big change in weather type, and we could see some stormy conditions by the end of the week.

“The cold isn’t lasting right to the end of the week, but we have a very different type of potentially-disruptive weather arriving.”

More than 100 schools were closed in Scotland on Tuesday, while drivers faced difficult conditions thanks to the wintry weather across north-west England, including in Merseyside, Cheshire and Cumbria.

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Gorilla makes snowballs at Belfast Zoo

There are three yellow weather warnings in place for Wednesday.

One for snow and ice covers northern England and parts of Wales and comes into place from midnight for 24 hours.

Another ice warning covering parts of Scotland around Glasgow and Edinburgh also comes into force from midnight for 24 hours.

The third snow and ice warning covers the northern section of Scotland and Northern Ireland and is in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday.

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More than 40cm of snow could be seen on high ground in northwest Scotland by the end of Friday as it continues to build up over the coming days, the Met Office added.

Meanwhile, lower ground in northwest Scotland could see between five and 10cm of snow by the end of the working week.

The Met Office is reviewing the situation and any new warnings could be issued at short notice, it said.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold-health alert, which warns of possible impacts for the health and social care sector.

National Rail has warned the wintry weather could affect train journeys all week.

Supermoon tonight: How and where to view the lunar event | UK News

As night falls later stargazers will get the chance to glimpse the first of this month’s two supermoons.

The lunar phenomenon happens when a full moon is near its closest point to Earth, making it appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter compared with when it is furthest away.

Rising in the east at a distance of some 222,159 miles (357,530km), the supermoon will be visible shortly after sunset from around 9pm onwards – cloud cover depending.

It will be best seen from areas with darker skies and limited light pollution.

While visible to the naked eye, using a small telescope or a pair of binoculars will provide the opportunity to view the moon’s surface in greater detail.

Tuesday night’s event is called a sturgeon moon – nothing to do with the former SNP leader but the fish – because of their abundance historically in August when they were caught by Native Americans.

And there is a double treat in store because there will be another supermoon on 31 August.

Because it is the second full moon in the same month, it is known as a blue moon.

Occurring only every three years or so it gives rise to the expression “once in a blue moon”.

It will be even closer on that date at a distance of 222,043 miles (357,344km).

This compares with a distance of about 252,088 miles (405,696km) when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth.

Read more:
Pictures from the July supermoon

Image:
The last supermoon was in July

How can I see the supermoon?

Royal Museums Greenwich said: “So long as there’s not too much cloud, the full moon will be an unmistakable white orb in the sky.

“This is a good opportunity to use a small telescope or a pair of binoculars to see the moon’s detailed surface, or even try taking a few interesting moon photos.

“However, you can see the moon perfectly well with just your eyes. Seeing moonrise just after sunset, or moonset just before sunrise, will be an impressive sight as it will appear enormous compared to the surrounding landscape.”

Lunar cycle

A full moon happens once in each lunar cycle, which lasts 29.5 days.

As the moon travels in an elliptical path around the Earth, rather than a circular one, there are times when it is closer than others.

The last time two full supermoons appeared in the same month was in 2018 – and it won’t happen again until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project.

This year’s first supermoon was in July, while the fourth and last will be in September.

The reason for moons being given different names – such as the sturgeon moon – stretches back in time and relates to the behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather that month.

Those chosen have generally been attributed to Native American tribes.