LITTLER PRAISED FOR SHOWING “CHARACTER” AFTER EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN

LUKE LITTLER has been hailed for showing “character” after revealing the emotional toll of his Premier League campaign.

The Nuke broke down in tears on stage after defeating Luke Humphries to regain the title last week.

The world No1 later admitted he had considered walking away from darts after being targeted by vile abuse and jeers from crowds throughout the campaign.

Broadcaster Shebahn Aherne has praised the teenager for pushing through the pressure and producing a stunning comeback under intense scrutiny.

She told talkSPORT: “I was very upset and also thrilled.

“I was watching that moment with my daughter and I am bawling because I cry at anything.

“She was like, mum why are you crying? I was like, look at this young boy, he is holding up the trophy and he is champion again.

“But then you hear how difficult it was for him.”

Littler had endured a difficult period earlier in the campaign following his Week Nine bust-up with Gian van Veen in Manchester.

The teen sensation was then subjected to heckling from different areans in the weeks that followed.

Aherne believes the debate around sporting stars and mental pressure has been highlighted by Littler’s experience.

She added: “I was listening to Ally McCoist and Laura Woods on breakfast about how our country we build up the superstars then tear them down.

“He had the clash on stage and used his emotion to tell Van Veen to do one.

“He found it really tough though and said the fan abuse crossed the line.

“He was at home crying and did not want to do it anymore.

“The thing I don’t think we focus on enough is that he did get through it.

“At 19-years-old when you are in the spotlight like that and are such a huge superstar and still a boy I think anyone would have said just don’t do it.

“Just take the break for your mental health for your mental state.

“Don’t go through that pressure with yourself.

“But he did and we don’t get to see that anymore, someone showing that character. I think it is brilliant he has gone through that and he will only be stronger as an outcome.

“I just think hats off to him.”

Littler has already won an impressive 13 major titles in his career and is now just the European Championship and World Cup away from completing the set of Premier events.

Image by Taylor Lanning.