Darts ace insists Littler’s dominance won’t “last forever” on tour

KEVIN PAINTER says Luke Littler's dominance won’t “last forever” on the PDC circuit.

Littler, 19, last lost a televised event in October 2025 when James Wade dumped him out of the European Championship with a 10-7 second-round victory.

The world No1 has since gone almost a year without defeat on the big stage and is now chasing an unprecedented clean sweep of the PDC’s major titles after winning the opening six this season.

Ex-pro Painter believes Littler’s supremacy is reminiscent of Phil Taylor’s incredible spell at the top.

He told Oche180: “He [Littler] is dominating at the minute but things don't last forever in that sort of way. He will have moments where he's going to get beat in tournaments.

“That’s the where the players will have to take a lot of heart and positives.

“He's so hard to beat, It's like in the old days with [Phil] Taylor.

“It’s just hard and once you get a chance you have to take it as many times as you can.”

Taylor ruled the sport for decades and finished his career with a record 87 PDC Premier event titles, including 16 World Championship crowns.

Painter claimed the Players Championship Finals title in 2011 but Taylor still enjoyed another hugely successful year as he picked up FIVE major trophies.

The Artist was also asked whether players discuss how to break down Littler in the same way opponents would have tried to work out Taylor.

But Painter believes the players simply have to focus on their own game before taking their chance when they eventually face the teen sensation.

He added: “I think people just stick to their own thing don’t they? Although they are all at the tournament not everyone has to play all the time.

“They’ll be times when you are in the opposite side of the draw. It’s just when it comes around you have to take him on the best you can do.

“But it’s difficult because he is so good isn’t he.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning