NICE LITTLER HEARNER

Barry's quids in thanks to his Christmas cracker Luke

- MIKE WALTERS

LUKE LITTLER is not the messiah - he's a very talented boy.

But when godfather of darts Barry Hearn listens to the jingle bells of Christmas now, they are the cash tills ringing up another fortune from his greatest success story.

Luke the Nuke's second coming at Alexandra Palace, after his fairy-tale run to the final at the age of 16, has made Hearn count his blessings. Darts is now the biggest show in town every festive season.

"We take it a bit for granted," he said. "It is amazing what has happened and we should rejoice. Christmas is a time for rejoicing, not just for Jesus, but for the darts as well.

"I thought I'd seen it all when Michael Smith hit that nine-darter in the final and in the commentary box Wayne Mardle is shrieking, 'I can't spake! I can't spake!' And then Luke Littler comes along..."

When Hearn took over as Professional Darts Corporation chairman in 2001, Sky Sports were paying £100,000 a year for all their darts coverage.

Hearn told the broadcaster's head of sport Vic Wakeling: "It's tough to negotiate with you I always feel you have one of my testicles in your safe."