Luke Littler confirms he’s sticking with 21-year-old girlfriend after darts heartbreak
The pair met playing Xbox online.
Luke Littler insists he and his girlfriend Eloise Milburn have no intention of splitting up, despite the negative reaction their relationship has attracted.
The teenage darts sensation narrowly missed out on becoming the youngest world champion in the sport’s history on Wednesday night, when Luke Humphries produced a stunning comeback to clinch a 7-4 victory.
As she had been through the majority of the tournament, Milburn, an amateur darts player herself, had been cheering on her 16-year-old partner alongside his parents and sister.
The pair are understood to have been dating for the last few months having met while playing FIFA online.
Ahead of last night’s final, Eloise’s mum hit out at the trolls who had accused her daughter of being a ‘money grabber’, and Littler, himself, insists the pair see no reason why they shouldn’t continue to date.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: ‘We’re going to stick together now, obviously we have been for the last few months so we just going to stick together.
‘Whether anyone likes it or not, we’re not bothered.’
After pocketing £200,000 runner-up prize, Little has the darting world at his fingertips, but the Warrington-born thrower is, for now, more excited at the prospect of spending time with his beloved Xbox.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘I can’t wait to go back on my Xbox.
‘I didn’t bring it because I didn’t think I would get to the final.
‘I only practice for half an hour a day, because I get bored and have my Xbox next to me.’
Littler had one dart at double two to take out 124 for a 5-2 lead but narrowly missed. Humphries took full advantage by hitting double 14 to take the set before going on to win 7-4.
Littler admitted his mind went blank during the combination finish which caused him to pause.
He added: ‘I took out a 122 beforehand and my mind went blank and I had to stop my rhythm and I just lost it. I think the more you play, you know what you go for, what you set up and what you finish, you get used to it.’
Littler will take a lot from his first experience of playing at Alexandra Palace and does not expect the hype around his exploits to result in more pressure from those close to him.
‘I’ll take the experience,’ he said. ‘I’ve got the fans, all the fans that have gathered around me. It’s crazy, it’s non stop, they chant me, the other Luke, they do all sorts. It’s non stop but you’ve got to get on with it.
‘I’ve got a good manager and family who don’t put any pressure on me.’
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