Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has opened up about an amusing social media mishap that saw him accidentally ignore a follow request from England football legend David Beckham. The 17-year-old, who recently cemented his status as one of the biggest rising stars in sports by winning the PDC World Championship, has been rubbing shoulders with sporting royalty after a whirlwind year.
From Rookie to Record-Breaker
Littler’s meteoric rise has captivated fans worldwide. After reaching the PDC World Championship final during his debut year, he followed it up in 2024 with an emphatic 7-3 victory over three-time champion Michael van Gerwen, becoming the youngest-ever PDC world champion. The triumph at Alexandra Palace earned him a staggering £500,000 in prize money and catapulted him into mainstream stardom.
His dominance on the oche has not only transformed his career but has also played a pivotal role in elevating darts to new heights. As a diehard Manchester United fan, Littler has already become a familiar face among the club’s stars, with current players and club legends taking notice of his achievements.
Beckham’s Message Gets Lost in the Chaos
Among the many high-profile figures to congratulate Littler was David Beckham, one of football’s most recognizable icons. However, Littler revealed that he unknowingly snubbed Beckham during his first major championship run.
“It was during the World Championships, but I didn’t even see it in my requests,” Littler admitted. “I follow him, but I didn’t see it. My sister was checking everything to see if anyone had got in contact during the Worlds, and she found it.”
With his Instagram following now exceeding 1.6 million, Littler’s rapid rise to fame has seen him interact with some of the world’s biggest sports stars. Despite the initial social media mishap, Beckham did not hold a grudge and reached out again following Littler’s historic triumph over van Gerwen.
Beckham’s Praise for Littler’s Achievement
The former Manchester United and England captain made sure to congratulate Littler personally after his record-breaking title win.
“He said, ‘Wow, well done.’ I said, ‘Thank you.’ Goes to show how well I’ve done for the sport,” Littler shared.
The darts prodigy acknowledged the significance of receiving recognition from one of his childhood heroes, highlighting how his success is helping to grow the sport’s profile.
“Not only for myself but for the other hundreds of professionals out there,” he added. “But to see the likes of David Beckham watching, it feels crazy.”
A Sporting Superstar in the Making
Littler’s unexpected rise from teenage prodigy to world champion has already made him a household name in the UK and beyond. His ability to draw attention from figures like Beckham demonstrates just how much impact he has had on the sport in such a short time.
With a bright future ahead, Littler is not only dominating the world of darts but is also proving that the sport can capture the attention of mainstream sporting icons. As he continues his journey, fans will be eager to see how far his talent—and growing stardom—can take him.
