LITTLER STUNNED AS TAYLOR TURNS UP IN HIS GARDEN!

LUKE LITTLER has revealed the surreal moment darts icon Phil Taylor turned up in his garden for a coffee and a chat.

World No1 Littler admits he was left stunned when his dad told him the 16-time world champion was on his way round.

Littler, 19, met The Power after his stunning run to the World Championship final on debut at Ally Pally, with the pair discussing everything from his rapid rise to the demands of life on the road.

He told the Ariel Helwani show: “Yeah, it was just crazy. I think there was one morning when I woke up, and my mum and dad were out of the house.

“Then my dad said, ‘Phil's coming around soon.’ What?

“‘Just to have a chat and a coffee.’

“I checked the cameras and he was just stood in my garden. He messaged my dad saying, ‘Just in your garden.’

“So, I had to go down and see him. I was like, ‘What's going on?’

“I think I was 17 after the first one, so midway through the year.

“Obviously, we talk about the travel and stuff. It does kill you off.

“There's a lot of traveling. But yeah, we're just dart players. We have to get on with it.”

The Nuke has already won 13 major titles, including back-to-back World Championships, in just his third year as a professional.

Littler was then asked whether he believes he can eventually break Taylor's record haul of 16 world titles.

He added: “I think if I was Phil, I wouldn't want anyone to beat it.

“Same as me, the youngest person to win the World Championships at 17, I don't want anyone to ever break that.

“They are made to be broken, but obviously when you've got one, winning the World Championships at 17.

“Obviously I had the chance to do it at 16, but the year later, I've done it.

“Yeah, I don't want anyone breaking it.”

While Littler's focus remains firmly on darts, the Warrington wonderkid admits he has joked about stepping into the Misfits Boxing ring.

Quizzed on how serious he is about a potential crossover, Littler said: “I just think it's a bit of fun. Not really no.”

Littler also took a cheeky swipe at influencer boxer Chase DeMoor after his recent bout against Andrew Tate.

He said: “Just funny watching him and he's not the greatest.

“Andrew [Tate] was gassed after what? Round two or three and he still couldn't get him out of there.”

Littler revealed he has hit the pads before but insists any talk of a fight is mostly banter.

He explained: “I've done it once many years ago.

“I think Mams [Taylor] has always spoken to me and stuff like that and we always have a laugh about it, but yeah, it's just fun and games.”

Littler admits there is one scenario where he could be tempted to put his arrows down and lace up the gloves.

When the prospect of pausing his darts career for a boxing bout was put to him, he replied: “Yeah, big numbers for me.

“Yeah, on hold, get insured, all that stuff.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning.