Teenage darts star Luke Littler’s best friend has said he has “worked hard” to reach the semi-final of the World Darts Championship.

Eleanor Cairns, who has known the 16-year-old for four years and is also a darts player, said Littler has been busy preparing for his bouts at Alexandra Palace and “his performance obviously shows that he deserves to be up there”.

She told Sky News: “I know he does a lot of practice for the competitions. Luke never really stops playing darts throughout the week either, so he’s definitely always throwing. It does take a lot, but I know he’s worked hard for it.”

Nicknamed “The Nuke”, Littler comfortably won his quarter-final against 5-1 Brendan Dolan after storming into a 4-0 lead at Alexandra Palace on Monday. He will face 2018 winner Rob Cross in the semi-final tonight.

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Ms Cairns said: “It’s been incredible. It makes me so emotional. I know everyone’s going on about his age but what he’s achieved is just amazing.”

She said Littler, from Warrington, has got a “natural throw” and showed natural talent “from the start”, adding: “His board management was there. He knew what everything was going for. He’s been incredible from the start.”

Asked how Littler would be feeling ahead of the game, Ms Cairns said: “I know with Luke, sometimes he seems very calm on that stage. It’s like he says in his interviews, ‘it is what it is’ – if he wins or loses, he’s already made this great achievement now that he’s got his name out there.”

‘Take age out of it, stats don’t lie’

Steve Brown, chair of the Junior Darts Corporation, said Littler had “really cracked on” over the last four years and “it was quite obvious he was going to be a big talent”.

He said: “I think he’s just obviously a very mature 16-year-old. He just understands the sport. I think he’s a student of the game. His board management is fantastic, for example.”

Asked if he would beat Cross tonight, Mr Brown said: “Darts is a great sport. Take age out of it, stats don’t lie.

“Luke has definitely got the game to do it. I’m pretty sure that Luke will be on his A game tonight. His stats are good enough to say that he can go all the way.”

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