More stories

  • in

    Luke Littler takes on Harry Maguire in incredible darts challenge as fans say Man Utd star should ‘switch careers’

    FANS reckon Harry Maguire has a future in darts as he took on Luke Littler in a competition on the board.The England and Manchester United star was challenged by Sky Sports to get the highest score he could in nine throws of the dart.
    Fans reckon Harry Maguire could have a career in dartsCredit: X/ SkySportsPL
    The Man Utd star took on Luke Littler in a darts challenge for Sky SportsCredit: X/ SkySportsPL
    Maguire impressed when he hit the treble 20Credit: X/ SkySportsPL
    Maguire racked up an impressive score of 171 including bagging himself one treble 20 in the process.
    But despite the surprisingly strong showing, Maguire was quickly put in his place by teen sensation Littler.
    Luke The Nuke had to try and beat Maguire’s score in as few darts as possible and the Bahrain Masters champ made it look easy.
    The 17-year-old banged all three of his darts into the treble 20 and earned himself a 180 – ending the match as quick as he possibly could.
    READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER
    Despite Littler showing Maguire up, fans still think that the towering centre-back could swap the pitch for the oche in the future.
    On social media, one fan wrote: “Harry is good at this! A career swap maybe?”
    While another added: “Maguire might have found himself a new sport.”
    A third wrote: “WTF maybe he should consider swapping sports.”
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    And a fourth chimed in writing: “Maguire cooked to be fair!”
    Maguire’s Man Utd teammates Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen were watching on as he took on Littler.
    It was sure to be a special moment for darts superstar Littler who is a lifelong Manchester United fan.
    After his superb run to the World Championship final, the kebab loving teen was invited to watch his beloved team at Old Trafford.

    He’s also had a whole host of United stars sending him messages of support including legend David Beckham who messaged the youngster ahead of his heartbreaking final loss to Luke Humphries.
    As for Maguire, he and his teammates have to turn their attention away from the dartboard and back to the pitch.
    The Red Devils take a swing at their final chance to win some silverware this season when they travel to face League Two outfit Newport County on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round.
    Littler spent the day meeting the squad at CarringtonCredit: X /ManUtd More

  • in

    Luke Littler heads to Man Utd training ground and meets heroes as fans say ‘Erik ten Hag should sign him’

    LUKE LITTLER was spotted enjoying a tour of Manchester United’s training ground and left fans begging for the club sign him.Littler picked up his first darts crown at the Bahrain Darts Masters last week that included an epic nine-darter.
    Luke Littler won his first senior darts tournament last weekCredit: PA
    Littler paid a visit Man Utd again
    Fans called on Erik ten Hag to sign the Nuke upCredit: Alamy
    The 17-year-old first shot into the limelight during the PDC Darts World Championship.
    Littler made it all the way to the final at Alexandra Palace before losing out to World No1 Luke Humphries in the final.
    The Nuke was invited to Old Trafford as a guest of Man Utd to watch the Red Devils draw 2-2 with Tottenham.
    While there he met club captain Bruno Fernandes, iconic manager Sir Alex Ferguson and legend Wayne Rooney.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    And after his trip to Bahrain, Littler has now paid Man Utd another visit.
    This time the Warrington wonder was spotted at Carrington.
    He was snapped alongside Man Utd Women star Maya Le Tissier.
    Reacting to the snap on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Best in the game.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    A second joked: “One legend in the making and Luke Littler.”
    Meanwhile, other fans called on men’s team boss Erik ten Hag to snap him up.
    One fan said: “The men’s team should sign him. At least he can hit the target.”
    Littler was also spotted attending Misfits Boxing over the weekend, posing with KSI and Apollonia Llewellyn while ringside.
    The Nuke will have a chance to exact revenge on Humphries when they face off on the opening night of the 2024 Premier League Darts on February 1.
    But before that he will be competing in the Dutch Masters which kick off on Friday.
    Littler visited Old Trafford earlier this month where he met Sir Alex FergusonCredit: INSTAGRAM
    He also met Bruno FernandesCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Littler was spotted at Misfits boxing and posed with KSICredit: Getty More

  • in

    Emma Louise Jones poses with Luke Humphries & World Darts trophy but fans fear she’s ‘putting too much faith in buttons’

    EMMA LOUISE JONES posed alongside Luke Humphries as he brought some silverware to Elland Road. Humphries was seen presenting his WDC Darts World Championship trophy which he beat Luke Littler to claim earlier this month.
    Emma Louise Jones posed alongside Luke Humphries PDC World Darts trophyCredit: X @eljonesuk
    World No1 Darts star Humphries paraded the trophy around Elland RoadCredit: PA
    Emma said the gong was ‘very heavy’Credit: Rex
    As well as showing it off to the fans at half-time, Humphries, 28, also posed with the gong alongside BBC presenter Emma.
    And it seems she was even offered the chance to try and lift the trophy.
    Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, she captioned the image: “A pleasure to be joined by @lukeh180 and his (VERY HEAVY) trophy in the studio 🏆.”
    Reacting to the snap, one fan said: “Winner winner trophy dinner.”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    However, another fan said: “Sooo much faith in those buttons.”
    Leeds TV presenter Emma previously suffered a wardrobe malfunction when her jumpsuit broke following an interview at Leicester City’s training ground.
    It left her holding her top and “clinging on for dear life” as she made her way back to her car afterwards.
    Although on this occasion it seems no such clanger occurred.
    Most read in Football
    Emma is a football presenter on BBCCredit: Instagram @eljonesuk
    She started out on Leeds TV in 2017Credit: Instagram @eljonesuk
    Both Emma and Humphries would have been delighted with Leeds’ comeback win over Preston.
    Will Keane had put the visitors ahead after just two minutes before Daniel James struck back in the sixth minute.
    Leeds then controversially won a penalty in injury time for a dubious handball.
    But Joel Piroe did not need a second invitation and dispatched from 12 yards to snatch a big victory for Leeds’ promotion hunt.
    Emma Louise Jones is a popular BBC sports presenterCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
    Jones covers rugby league for the BBC alongside other sportsCredit: Twitter / @eljonesuk
    Jones had put together a strong social media game and can boast over a quarter of a million followersCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
    Jones loves to share glam pics with her legion of followersCredit: instagram
    Jones’ posts attract a lot of engagement from her followersCredit: Instagram, @eljones90 More

  • in

    Luke Littler now FAVOURITE to win World Darts Championship after Michael van Gerwen dumped out in worst loss in 13 year

    SLOPPY Michael van Gerwen was kicked out of Ally Pally by Scott ‘Shaggy’ Williams – and it means Luke Littler is now the title favourite.The provisional world No1 was beaten 5-3 by the world No52 in a gigantic quarter-final upset of the PDC World Darts Championship.
    Tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen was dumped out by Scott WilliamsCredit: AP
    Williams is through to the semi-finalCredit: AP
    Luke Littler is now the favourite to win the tournamentCredit: PA
    Boston-born Williams, 33, produced the performance of his life to knock out the Dutchman and blow open the bottom half of the draw.
    It means 16-year-old Littler, at odds of just 13/8, is the person top of the money charts as far as sponsors Paddy Power are concern.
    Van Gerwen’s loss – ten years to the day since he won his first of three world crowns – is his worst in terms of rankings since a 2010 first-round exit to then unranked Mensur Suljovic.
    What a result for Williams, who sealed the win on double 16, and now faces either Luke Humphries after he beat Dave Chisnall 5-1.
    It means there will be an all-English semi-final line-up and a guaranteed home-grown winner.
    There is a bad boy lurking within relative unknown Williams, who has Batman and Joker tattoos on his arms.
    In the past he has been fined for making inappropriate gestures.
    And he may well be done at a future date for making reference to a vile football chant following his win over German Martin Schindler after Christmas.
    Most read in Football
    In the other early game Rob Cross produced a stunning comeback to make the semi-finals and then vowed to kill another fairy-tale story.
    Voltage, 33, found himself 4-0 down to Chris Dobey and staring at a damaging quarter-final exit.
    But incredibly the eighth seed won the next five sets in a row, prevailing in the eighth leg of set nine.
    In the 2018 world final, Cross crushed the heart of the legendary Phil Taylor 7-2 in his retirement match.
    The former electrician will now want to play the role of Grinch again to stop the rise of Luke Littler.
    The Hastings thrower said: “Everyone loves an underdog story. As the public and people looking at the game, everyone loves an underdog story.
    “I’m not being rude, I’m on his side, I love an underdog story.
    “Luke is amazing, he’s 16 years old. I have a boy who is four years younger. Whatever he achieves, he is going to have a bright future.
    “He’s fantastic and he deserves all the luck in the world, he is a nice young boy. Tomorrow we play darts, though, and I have to go down to business.
    “In terms of the comeback, it was 100 per cent the best I’ve ever had. At one point, it didn’t seem likely for me, but then it did.
    “I’m not going to swear but I have got nerves of steel.”
    Cross is the first player to come from four sets behind to prevail at the Worlds since James Wade surrendered a 5-1 advantage to Adrian Lewis in the semi-finals in 2012.
    It brought back demons of the time Dobey led Cross 8-2 in the 2022 World Matchplay first round but then lost somehow 11-9.
    Hollywood, 33, said: “I’m absolutely devastated to lose that one.
    “Another tough one to take but I managed to overcome that last defeat like that so I’m sure I’ll overcome this minor setback.
    “I think at 4-0 down Rob went into relaxed mode and he played with freedom, which made him play a lot better than he had been.
    Read more on The Sun
    “I didn’t do a lot wrong but there were too many times I missed one or two doubles at crucial times. Credit where it’s due, Rob was fantastic.
    “I’ll come back stronger. I’ve moved into the top 16 now and I’ll keep building on that.” More

  • in

    Luke Littler celebrates Raymond van Barneveld win by taking in Tottenham clash as England star’s special guest

    DARTS sensation Luke Littler underlined his newfound celebrity status by watching Tottenham as a guest of England star James Maddison.The youngest ever World Championship quarter-finalist, 16, recreated a little of the buzz he’s made at the Ally Pally as fans spotted him during Sunday’s home clash with Bournemouth.
    Luke Littler relaxed in the stands as Spurs hosted BournemouthCredit: Reuters
    Darts World Championship sensation Littler caused a stir at TottenhamCredit: Sky Sports
    Viewers were quick to point out the Warrington wonderboy is a Manchester United fan.
    But his relaxed look showed his mind was more on his own remarkable achievement the previous day than the Red Devils’ latest misfortune.
    Soon after United slumped 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, Little crushed his idol and four-time world title winner Raymond van Barneveld 4-1.
    And while Barney took defeat like a “gentleman” his fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag is under far more strain – with his Red Devils’ boss job reportedly under threat.
    READ MORE TO STORIES
    Littler is racking up nicknames faster than shot-shy United score goals – with Luke the Nuke and the Kebab Kid two of the newest as he soars to second favourite for the PDC crown behind Michael van Gerwen.
    Arsenal’s England aces Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice posed with him before last Thursday’s shock 2-0 home loss against West Ham. 
    And there was an excited murmur when Littler was spotted by Sky Sports cameras as well as supporters at Tottenham on New Year’s Eve.
    Fans online joked he could be turned off United and onto Spurs.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Raymond van Barneveld took his defeat against Littler like a ‘gentleman’Credit: Alamy
    When some pointed out he was not a Spurs supporter, they attracted comments like: “He will be” and “he will now”.
    Tottenham YouTuber Chris Cowlin grabbed a selfie “with the man of the moment Luke Littler”.
    But after sharing the snap Cowlin himself added: “I’ve been told – he DOESN’T support Spurs. He is James Maddison’s guest.”
    Littler saw Pape Matar Sarr drill Tottenham in front early on.
    But the Londoners will enter 2024 in fifth place whatever the result against the Cherries.
    In contrast, Littler’s life could change spectacularly in the next few days – as he eyes the world title and a £500,000 jackpot.
    After beating Barney he said: “I fancy myself. I do fancy myself.
    “Barney said to me at the end, ‘you can go all the way. I hope you go all the way’. I said: ‘Thank you’. He is a true gentlemen.” More

  • in

    Darts sensation Luke Littler, 16, copies Man Utd star’s celebration after landing biggest pay-day at World Championship

    DARTS wonderkid Luke Littler copied Manchester United star Marcus Rashford’s celebration as he cruised to the Last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship.Littler has taken the sport by storm with some incredible exploits on the Ally Pally stage that saw him beating the likes of Andrew Gilding and Matt Campbell despite his young age of 16.
    Luke Littler copied Manchester United star Marcus Rashford’s celebrationCredit: Getty
    Rashford performs that celebration every time he scores for Man UtdCredit: Alamy
    Littler punched his ticket to the Last 16 of the PDC World Darts ChampionshipCredit: Rex
    The Runcorn protege punched his ticket to the Round of 16 by beating Campbell on Wednesday in his debut tournament and paid homage to his favourite United star Rashford.
    The schoolboy pointed his finger on his head like the forward does every time he scores a goal for the Red Devils.
    Littler shared a picture of the pose on Instagram and accompanied it with a photo of the England international doing the same.
    The teenager’s post attracted over 17,000 likes and a raft of comments from his 55,000 followers.
    Read More on Man Utd
    One fan posted: “Rashford copying Luke it seems.”
    Another commented: “What a boy.”
    A third wrote: “Well played what a performance.”
    This fan said: “Go on Luke, lad smashed it.”
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    And that one stated: “Keep it up mate.”
    Littler broke down in tears after his latest PDC World Darts Championship victory won him a whopping £35,000 and told his mum: “The dream is on.”
    And he then tucked into a late-night kebab, dreaming of the £500,000 top prize. More

  • in

    I became an Ally Pally legend for my ‘Pie Man’ nickname but I’m unrecognisable after my incredible body transformation

    DARTS legend Andy Smith was known on the circuit as the “Pie Man” thanks to his larger-than-life personality and affection for short-crust confectionery.The three time World Grand Prix quarter-finalist won six PDC Pro Tour Titles after joining the organisation in 2004.
    The Pie Man would walk on to ‘Eat It’ by Weird Al YankovichCredit: Getty
    Andy Smith was a regular at Ally PallyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Like many darters, that came after years of ploughing away on the BDO circuit before working his way up to the pros.
    While in the PDC he embraced his stocky figure by having Weird Al Yankovic’s “Eat It” as his walk out song as he made his way to the oche.
    Now 56, he has not returned to the tour since losing his PDC Card in December 2016.
    And he has taken that time away from the oche to reinvent himself with an incredible body transformation.
    READ MORE IN DARTS
    New pictures show the “Pie Man” looking far trimmer than his throwing days – with Smith looking almost unrecognisable.
    His new look has had fans on X in shock.
    Darts commentator Matthew Edgar posted two photos of the Pie Man’s transformation, saying: “Got to be one of the most amazing transformations I’ve ever seen.
    “Andy ‘Pie Man’ Smith may need a new nickname if he returns to darts.”
    Most read in Football
    Another fan replied that Smith may have to change his nickname to the Salad Man.
    The Pie Man has now drawn comparisons with Ross Kemp in his much slimmer frameCredit: Twitter @theedgar501
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
    A third likened Smith’s new look to Ross Kemp and tweeted a gif of the former Eastenders actor.
    A fourth added a message of support, saying: “He has done fantastic to lose the weight and looking a lot better now”
    A fifth said: “Good for him, he looks great.” More

  • in

    Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton rocks very bold outfit and low-cut top live on TV

    SKY SPORTS presenter Emma-Louise Paton stunned fans in her latest TV appearance.Paton attended the Sky studio in an elegant pink outfit as she shared her expertise with her colleagues.
    Sky Sports presenter Emma-Louise Paton stood out with a pink outfitCredit: Sky Sports
    Paton has attracted a large following on social media
    Paton is often seen covering the darts for Sky Sports
    Paton has proven to be a very versatile reporter for Sky SportsCredit: Instagram / @missemmapaton
    The presenter, who recently hosted US Open coverage, is a regular on the darts.
    The journalist isn’t just seen covering the darts and tennis, but is also a regular on Sky Sports News.
    The reporter has been working for Sky since 2012, but has started to make a name for herself online in recent years.
    Paton has amassed an impressive 140,000 followers on Instagram where she gives fans a sneak peek behind the scenes of the TV coverage.
    Read More on Sport
    Most recently, the television personality shared some snaps to her Instagram as she helped Sky cover the US Open.
    Paton has shown immense versatility as she also specialises in WWE as well as eSports.
    The popular media personality also presented the NFL UK fantasy show.
    And as a former track athlete herself, who used to compete nationally in the 400m, Paton has worked on a number of big athletics events.
    Most read in Football
    As a result, she has attracted a loyal audience thanks to her impressive work on the field.
    One fan recently commented: “At last Emma you’ve got the really big gig you deserve.
    “Next step is the Wimbledon anchor job you should already have got.”
    Paton has also covered WWE and NFL in recent yearsCredit: Instagram / @missemmapaton
    Paton’s work has won her over a large and loyal fanbase on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @missemmapaton
    Many believe Paton deserves a top job in sports reportingCredit: instagram @missemmapaton More