Former world champ warns Littler “it’s no good” playing exhibitions and missing PDC tournaments

KEITH DELLER has warned Luke Littler against missing PDC tournaments to play lucrative exhibitions.

The former world champion admits Littler makes the game look ridiculously simple after picking up all SIX major titles this season.

But Littler, 19, has already withdrawn from TEN Euro Tour events as well as his two World Series stops in Australia and New Zealand this season.

Deller believes Littler and the other biggest names must prioritise PDC competitions if they want to help take the game to a global audience.

He told Oche180: “It’s got to be good because you have to admire the lad's ability.

“Darts is not easy. Anybody can throw a dart but it’s not going to go in the right place 90 per cent of the time.

“He makes it look very easy and that is the worry. I think it is great for the sport. If you are going to miss tournaments, not so good when you are the main guy.

“I think the exhibition circuit for a lot of these top players is going to be not so much in a couple of years' time.

“I know they can earn really good money but it’s no good playing exhibitions then saying you are tired and missing tournaments.

“I’m old school where I think the PDC are putting on so many big events now you want this to go worldwide.

“We all know if China went mad about it and the US can get bigger and bigger, the lads can be playing for £5million or £10million top prize.

“So, it’s up to the likes of the two Lukes and Gerwyn to really push the TV events and play all of them because that is where you are going to get the global audience.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning