IT began with a fairy tale to make Hans Christian Andersen blush and 2024 is ending with Luke Littler king of the fairground.
Never mind the Big One on Blackpool's Golden Mile, the Nemesis at Alton Towers or his beloved Manchester United - Luke the Nuke's rollercoaster has been the theme park's most thrilling adrenaline rush this year.
"It's been a crazy, crazy ride," said the people's champion as he reflected on the 12 months that changed his life.
Before the week is out, he could usher in 2025 by taking us on the biggest joyride of all. To win the Paddy Power PDC World Championship three weeks shy of his 18th birthday, Littler will have to play out of his skin.
But if anybody can summon the bravado to confound the dermatologists, it's the boy wonder who has made darts more cool than tattoos, body piercings and ripped jeans.
His 4-1 win against Ian White on Saturday night ended Littler's run of 14 consecutive 100-plus averages. But the stats from his first year on the Professional Darts Corporation hamster wheel are astounding.
Denne historien er fra December 30, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 30, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Unai must repair his leaky Villa
UNAI EMERY has warned Aston Villa's defensive vulnerabilities in the Premier League are putting their ambitions in jeopardy.
REAL TRUTH IS THAT TRENT WON'T LEAVE
LIVERPOOL had two reasons to rebuff Real Madrid's approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold - and they will remain the same even if the Spanish giants DO come back with a slightly increased £20.7million bid later this month.
ARTETA TITLE FEVER
Gunners shrug off illness in camp as they begin 2025 in rude health
Can it get any worse for the ruined empire that is United? Well, here come Liverpool!
IT'S A SHAMBLES AT OLD TRAFFORD, ON AND OFF THE PITCH... AND THE NEXT BATTLE IS JUST TO AVOID RELEGATION
Hot Black Cats make it a happy new year
HOME bankers Sunderland stretched their unbeaten record on Wearside to 12 games as they moved to within two points of the automatic promotion slots.
BUNTING'S WRIGHT ON
Bullet hits the mark as he books place in semis
DON'T CROWN GOUT GOAT YET
Lord Coe warns of the pitfalls as the Aussie teenager wows the world
PLAIN SAILING FOR RIVER
KAITUNA RIVER is fancied to improve on a fencing-debut second at Southwell last month with a victory in the Join The 20 Club At Huntingdon Handicap Chase (2.35) at Huntingdon today.
Aaron sets sights on Ryder Cup
Aaron sets sights on Ryder Cup
'Catwoman' dead
Socialite & divorcee known for haunting looks due to surgery
