Luke Littler releases new video after 'taking a step back from darts' statement

Luke Littler has announced the news that everyone expected - he isn't actually taking a step away from darts! The teenage world champion dropped a video on Thursday suggesting he will take a break from the sport to focus more on the things he love.

Many anticipated that the 'announcement' would be a precursor to an advertising campaign and that was confirmed on Friday, with Littler releasing a new video on social media.

In the video he is seen putting his darts down on a chair, before walking into a retirement home wearing a dressing gown. He then sits down to play the newly released on EAFC 26, before saying: "Take time to do the things you love, FC26 now on Xbox".

Littler burst into the limelight during the 2024 World Championship at Alexandra Palace. Aged just 16, he enjoyed a fairytale run to the final, beating the likes of Michael van Gerwen on the way to the final, where he was beaten by Luke Humphries.

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Following that defeat, he enjoyed an astonishing 12 months, winning the Premier League, the Grand Slam and the World Series Finals.

Back at Ally Pally 12 months later, though, beating Van Gerwen to become the sport's youngest world champion. And he has continued to dominate in 2025, racking up three more major titles, with the world number one ranking firmly in his sights.

And so the announcement that he was ready to hang up his flights was always met with a fair bit of scepticism. In his initial video he said: "I've had an awesome career, I couldn't have asked for much better for myself.

"You know it's been full on for two years, I've done many great things, the Premier League at the age of 17 on debut, the nine-darters on tele, winning the World Championships at 18 - the youngest to ever do it.

"I just want to say thanks to all my fans for the support over the last two years, it's been phenomenal. It'll shock some people that I'm taking a step back, it's not been an easy decision, now I want to do something that I love."

The intentions were made clear at the end of the clip, though, with Littler heard muttering: "Do you think they'll fall for that?"

Nevertheless people were keen for some definite clarification and fans were delighted with the final result. Darts commentator Stuart Pyke said: "Brilliant!"

"Priceless," responded one social media user. "Elite," said another. "You almost had me with that first video... Almost," a third said.

Littler has made no secret of his love of FIFA and EA Sports FC, often playing the game in between huge tournament meetings. 

After being catapulted to stardom following his run to the final of the World Championships in 2024, he joked that he would spend his £200,000 prize money on FIFA points, an online currency for the game's Ultimate Team.

Littler is scheduled to be in action on Saturday evening in the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest.