Charlie Manby Ready for PDC Breakthrough at UK Open
The whirlwind of overnight fame is starting to settle for Charlie Manby. Now in his third full season on the PDC Development Tour, his immense potential has long been evident to those around him—and to opponents who have stepped up to the oche against him.
But as the buzz around his record-breaking 130.70 average fades, the 19-year-old’s journey to the big stage may just be beginning.
This weekend, Manby makes his major PDC debut at the UK Open in Minehead, having qualified through a top-four finish in last season’s Development Tour standings. His first-round opponent, Aden Kirk, stands in the way of a second-round berth.
Manby’s Long-Term Goal: Becoming a PDC Professional
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, the four-time tournament winner is determined to make his first taste of major action more than just a fleeting experience.
“I definitely want to get on the senior PDC Tour and be a professional within the next two years,” Manby said. “That’s the main aim for the time being.”
His inspiration is not hard to find. Luke Littler needed just one full season in the Development Tour before exploding onto the global stage at Alexandra Palace in December 2023. While Littler’s rise stunned the world, Manby wasn’t surprised—having already played alongside and against him.
Competing with Littler: A Familiar Rivalry
Manby and Littler previously represented England together at an international event in Budapest, with Manby winning the singles title, while Littler and Thomas Banks triumphed in the pairs competition.
“You always knew he was going to be special,” Manby said. “We were all capable of beating him, but he was just doing it consistently. Playing alongside and against him, you could see he was going to do something amazing in the game.”
That prediction has come true. Littler followed up his World Championship final debut with a Premier League title, another Ally Pally final, and a meteoric rise to World No.2 in the PDC rankings—all within 12 months.
Littler’s Success Inspires, Not Intimidates
While some might feel envious of Littler’s rapid success, Manby sees it differently. He believes Littler’s achievements have benefited the entire sport.
“I think we all wanted him to do well,” he admitted. “A young kid on stage, thousands watching—you’d think he would feel pressure, but he didn’t. We were all spurring him on, and I’m glad he did it.”
“The things he’s done for darts, making it as big as it is now—it’s all come through him. I couldn’t have been happier when he won the Worlds.”
Can Manby Follow in Littler’s Footsteps?
Matching Littler’s meteoric rise would be a daunting challenge, but Manby is determined to share the stage with his former rival in televised events.
“It’s encouraged me to do well and get to that stage,” he vowed. “Everyone else my age on the Development Tour is thinking the same. We’ve all got that bit of a drive now to do something like he’s done. It would take something really special to match him, but now we know it can be done.”
Manby’s first step toward competing regularly against Littler, Luke Humphries, and other elite players begins with Aden Kirk at the UK Open. But no matter how long his senior PDC debut lasts, it won’t be long before he’s back on the big stage.
