Littler has learned his first opponent at this year’s World Darts Championship

LUKE LITTLER made a cheeky dig towards David Beckham during last night’s Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The darts prodigy, 17, was in attendance as he he hoped to win the main gong.

Luke Littler at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
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Luke Littler attended last night’s SPOTY awardsCredit: Alamy

David Beckham at a promotional event.
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Littler, 17, received a text from David Beckham earlier this yearCredit: AFP
Littler went on to finish as runner-up to runaway winner Keely Hodgkinson.

Like Hodgkinson, Littler is a huge Manchester United fan.

During last year’s World Darts Championship, the teenager revealed that former United superstar Beckham had sent him a good luck text.

Interviewed alongside his parents by Gabby Logan last night, Littler was asked if his text from Becks was one of his biggest “pinch me” moments of 2024.

He hilariously responded: “He’s not followed me though.”

This drew laughter from the crowd, with Logan replying: “I think that’s a plea.”

Answering her original question, Littler then admitted: “I think going to Carrington and meeting all the United squad.”

In January Littler attended the Red Devils’ 2-2 draw with Tottenham Old Trafford, and also grabbed pictures with Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruno Fernandes.

He then headed to Carrington the following week.

After finishing as runner-up in the main award, Littler won the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year last night.

Keely Hodgkinson wins BBC SPOTY 2024 as Olympic gold medallist pips Luke Littler to top prize
Upon being handed the gong, he said: “It just goes to show how well I’ve done this year.

“But not only for myself changed the sport of darts [with] all the other professionals. But I have played a big part in it.”

Littler will open his World Darts Championship campaign this Saturday with a clash with Ryan Meikle.

He was nearly matched up with Ally Pally favourite Fallon Sherrock, only for Meikle to beat her 3-2.