“Bless his cotton socks”: Master of darts Phil Taylor on teen sensation Luke Littler after his World Darts Championship success

According to PHIL TAYLOR, Luke Littler has a “bloody good chance” of surpassing his historic tally of World Darts Championship crowns. However, his retired grandfather, Taylor, who left the professional tour eight years ago, jokes that he does not expect to be alive, that litter should manage to collect 17 Sid Waddell Trophies.


And to address the age-old question of whether the player is superior, the power states that if the two had ever faced off in their heyday, it would be a “50-50” match-up.

Phil Taylor in an interview on Luke Littler

According to SunSport, following Littler's second straight world title win, the Nuke “smashed” Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final on January 3, Taylor expressed his worries for the first time that the youngster could do the unbelievable. Many Netizens think that Taylor won his 16th world title in 2013, two on the BDO and 14 in the PDC ranks, which would never be surpassed.


https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37896897/phil-taylor-luke-littler-world-darts-championship/


However, Taylor, 65, smiled: “I think he’s got a bloody good chance, I’ll be honest with you. If I don’t get him shot on the way!

“Well, hopefully, when he does break my records, I’ll be dead and gone. So I won’t have to listen to anybody else saying it!

“But if anybody’s got a chance, it’s definitely him, that’s for sure.

“You know what, every time he does well, he keeps putting me back in the limelight.

“Honestly, I’m getting more publicity now than when I was winning it. Bless his cotton socks.”

Phil Taylor, who ruled the world oche between 1995 -2006, won 11 titles, added, “Luke smashed Gian in the final. Absolutely smashed him. Steamrolled him. “He’s on another planet at the minute. Let’s be honest. The lad’s playing brilliantly.

“He takes pressure really, really well. In fact, all the years I’ve played darts, he probably takes the pressure better than anybody I’ve ever seen, to be honest.

“Whether that’s because he’s young or, I don’t know, he’s just majorly confident. He’s brilliant. I can’t fault him.”

Recency bias makes it look like Luke Littler is naturally more talented

Luke Littler, who will turn 19 on January 21, will be playing at the Bahrain Darts Masters this week. He has been on a 20-game winning streak since November 8, at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

Recency bias makes it simple to conclude that Littler would have defeated the Master of Darts with ease, but Taylor is too modest and humble to say he would have battered the teen phenom. However, Littler might have been more naturally talented than the Master of Darts, Taylor, but the OAP thrower was the harder worker and put in the hours on the board.


Taylor, who is a member of the same Target Darts stable, says in response,

“It would have been a cracker. It would have been a brilliant game.

“I honestly think at my best and his best it’s 50-50. I really do.

“It’s like, would Muhammad Ali beat Tyson Fury? Whoever’s the best on the day, I suppose.

“There were times when I used to go into tournaments, and I didn’t feel any pressure whatsoever. I was in my own little bubble, and I’d smash them.

“And then there are other times when you just feel a little bit nervous because it’s the dedication with me.

“Because we were that busy, up and down the country, running round here and there and everywhere. Sometimes I wasn’t as dedicated as I would like to have been.

“If talent doesn’t work hard, hard work will beat talent. I think he’s got more natural ability than I have, that’s for sure.

“I had a bit of the Nigel Benn syndrome, whom I’m friends with.

“Nigel said when he was in the army, you’d have to get up at like 5 a.m.

“But when he took boxing up, he could have a lie-in till about 9 o’clock. He worked his socks off and that’s what you’ve got to do.

“I think not being so dedicated will take its toll one day. But not yet. I mean Luke’s still young yet.”

Also read: Who is Luke Littler dating? The teenage darts star continues his winning streak in World Championship with girlfriend Faith Millar’s supports

Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Also check the latest WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.