Darts sensation Luke Littler is set to skip next week’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony despite being shortlisted for the award. Instead of attending the high-profile gala, he’s choosing to stay focused on his World Darts Championship campaign.
Fresh off a dominant 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas in the opening round of his PDC World Championship title defence, Littler made it clear that his priorities lie firmly on securing the tournament’s massive £1 million prize. The 18-year-old star is determined not to let any off-stage distractions interfere with his mission.
Littler explained that the timing of the SPOTY event clashes with his preparation schedule, and attending could disrupt his momentum. With the pressure of defending his world title, he prefers to stay fully locked in on practice and recovery rather than stepping onto the red carpet.
Despite his nomination, the young prodigy downplayed his chances of winning the award. He said he believes Formula 1 standout Lando Norris will likely top the ballot, given Norris’ global recognition and strong support this year.
Ultimately, Littler’s decision underscores his competitive focus. As he pushes toward the biggest payday of his career, he’s opting to prioritise performance over pageantry — a move that highlights both his ambition and discipline at the highest level of darts.
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