TAYLOR WARNS LITTLER TO DITCH TAKEAWAYS AND STAY HUNGRY!

PHIL TAYLOR has told Luke Littler to STAY HUNGRY and steer clear of takeaways during big tournaments.

The Power opened up on a conversation he had with Littler’s mum ahead of the World Championship, with a whopping £1million on the line.

Former world No.1 Taylor ruled darts for more than three decades, winning a record-breaking 87 major trophies and an unmatched 16 World Championships.

Taylor insisted his strict routine was key to his dominance and admits he even took inspiration from ancient warriors when it came to matchday prep. 

He told the Double Tops podcast: “I was speaking with his mother last year and I advised her ahead of the World Championship. 

“I said ‘you’re playing for £1 million at the World Championship, don’t eat out of the hotel and don’t have takeaways – eat your food in your room.’ 

“That’s what I did. I’d read something from a bodybuilder about never eating outside of your hotel room because of the potential of getting food poisoning, so I would go to the supermarket and buy everything and cook it in my room. 

“I used to set off the smoke alarm because I had a little air fryer or camping stove to cook it, but it worked so I kept doing it.  

“I watched documentaries on TV about Roman soldiers never going into battle on a full stomach, so most matches I played I went into them hungry. I used to think ‘let’s get this done quickly so I can get a Chinese on the way home!’” 

Littler famously tucked into a margarita pizza before going on to lift his second world title earlier this year, after thrashing Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final. 

The teenage sensation’s laid-back approach to the biggest night of his life was lifted by close pal Angry Ginge. 

He added: “He’s so chilled out, it’s unbelievable. I was with him before the World Championship final against Gian [van Veen] and his warm-up was throwing a few darts and having a margherita pizza! 

“After Gian had won the first set, they walked off stage and Luke looked over to where we were all sitting and went ‘no more’. He obviously went on to win the next seven sets, so he basically called what was going to happen. 

“He’s such a genuine guy and I don’t think people realise how down-to-earth he really is.  

“Of course, he’s Luke Littler and he’s the best darts player in the world, but I really wish people would just treat him normally because he’s just a normal and genuine bloke. That’s how he likes it and I think that’s why we get on so well.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.