The £50m kid

Darts champ's earnings could hit new highs

- MARTIN FRICKER

AFTER Luke Littler's sensational rise to the world darts final last year at the age of 16, many fans wondered if it would be a one-off.

But the 17-year-old, dubbed The Nuke, showed he is here to stay by winning last night's championship clash at only the second time of asking.

And he is now tipped to rake in £50million over his career, after an astonishing debut year in the sport.

Littler beat Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, 35, 7-3 in front of 3500 delirious fans and millions of TV viewers to scoop a £500,000 prize.

It took his yearly winnings to £1.5m.

He earned £lm last year, despite his final loss to Luke Humphries, and is said to have added £2m in lucrative sponsorship deals.

On this form, Littler could keep on raking in the cash for many years yet.