Luke Littler announced his decision to skip the upcoming BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony despite being a nominee for the prestigious accolade. Instead, he has voiced his support for Lando Norris to clinch the top honor.
Nicknamed ‘The Nuke’ and aged 18, Littler is among the six contenders vying for the coveted award, competing against the likes of Norris, Rory McIlroy, Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, and Ellie Kildunne. Although he was nominated last year as well, losing out to Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson.
While Littler is once again in the running after a remarkable year, he expressed that his main focus is on his upcoming match against either Mario Vandenbogaerde or David Davies. This match is scheduled just 48 hours after the awards ceremony on December 18.
When asked about the ceremony, Littler stated, “No, I’m not attending. I think they are aware of my decision. I believe the top three favorites in the betting odds will likely be present, and my prediction is that Lando will emerge as the winner.”
Reflecting on his potential chances, Littler pondered, “I have only missed out on winning four majors this year. If I had won them, would I have secured the award? It’s uncertain, but I wish good luck to the eventual winner.”
In the coming days, Littler plans to unwind at home, with a plan to watch Manchester United play against Bournemouth on Monday night. A devoted Red Devils fan, he recently attended the sold-out away game at Molineux, where Manchester United triumphed over Wolves 4-1, sparking excitement on social media.
Responding to queries about how he obtained tickets for the match, Littler clarified, “I mean, people tend to speculate without knowing the facts. I publicly thanked Adidas on social media for the tickets because the truth is not widely known. Adidas, as kit suppliers, allocate a certain number of tickets per year, home and away, to selected individuals. I was fortunate to receive three tickets for the Wolves away game from Adidas.”
Littler progressed to the next round at Ally Pally with a 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas, amidst an unexpected encounter with a wasp during his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Looking ahead to the World Darts Championship, where Littler aims to defend his title as the youngest champion, he will face stiff competition from rival Luke Humphries. The championship preview features insights from both players, discussions with key contenders, and exclusive interviews with darts personalities, offering a comprehensive look at the upcoming tournament.