How Luke Littler’s girlfriend Faith Millar became darts star’s emotional rock & No1 confidante amid horrific crowd abuse

HIS remarkable rise has turned him into one of Britain’s biggest sporting stars and a multi-millionaire before his 20th birthday. Yet this week served as a powerful reminder that Luke Littler is still only a teenager.

It is easy to forget that the darts sensation was only recently old enough to legally buy a drink, place a bet or cast a vote in a general election.

But after reclaiming the Premier League title in dramatic fashion at London’s O2 Arena, the 19-year-old showed a side of himself rarely seen in public.

Moments after edging out Luke Humphries 11-10 in one of the greatest finals the competition has produced, Littler broke down in tears during a live television interview, revealing the emotional toll that months of crowd hostility had taken on him.

For the first time, the world champion admitted he had seriously considered walking away from the sport because of the abuse he had been receiving from fans.

As he stood holding the £350,000 trophy, emotions that had been building for weeks finally spilled over.

Speaking to Sky Sports before the interview was cut short, Littler said: “It’s been a rollercoaster.

“Four weeks bottom of the table and on the fifth night, I won my first night.

“It was tough. I was down bad and now I am here with the trophy.

“I said to Faith, ‘I don’t want to do it any more.’ The crowds week-in, week-out…

“I said to her, ‘I am down bad’.”

Humphries, who has developed a close friendship with Littler despite their fierce rivalry on stage, immediately offered support.

He said: “I know what he’s going through but we all want to see him play.

“The fans do want to see him play because I think darts needs Luke Littler, Luke Littler doesn’t need darts.”

The emotional scenes left many wondering how one of the sport’s brightest stars had reached such a low point.

Since bursting onto the global stage at the 2024 World Championship, Littler has transformed darts. His popularity has driven record television audiences, sold-out arenas and worldwide interest in the sport.

Yet success has brought a darker side.

In recent months, the teenager has increasingly become a target for hostile crowds, with boos and whistles regularly greeting him during walk-ons and matches.

Some criticism followed an incident involving Dutch star Gian van Veen earlier this year, when Littler attempted to rally the crowd while his opponent was throwing. The teenager later refused to apologise for the moment, a stance that drew criticism from some sections of the darts community.

However, even those who disagreed with his actions would struggle to argue that they justified the level of abuse he has received since.

Speaking after his Premier League triumph, Littler described the reception he received in the Netherlands in April as the worst atmosphere he had ever experienced.

Back at home, it was his girlfriend, Faith Millar, who became his main source of support.

The pair have been together for more than a year, and Littler revealed that she was the only person he truly opened up to about his struggles.

Neither his parents, Anthony and Lisa, nor officials from the Professional Darts Corporation fully understood how close he had come to walking away from the Premier League.

Littler explained: “I’m so grateful for my family and obviously Faith.

“I don’t know if my mum and dad were shocked because I didn’t really speak to them about it as much as I did to Faith.

“Maybe I should have spoken to them. But you know us men — we don’t want to talk.

“I had to speak to Faith and tell her how I was feeling.

“I just kept saying to her, ‘I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to do it’.

“She just kept repeating herself — and here we are today with the trophy.

“Sat at home — I didn’t even want to go out. Didn’t want to go to the next Premier League night.”

He added: “We’ve all got feelings, not just as darts players. We’re just human and we just want to get on with our lives.”

For all his fame and fortune, Littler remains a remarkably ordinary teenager.

The Warrington star left school at 16 and has spent the last two-and-a-half years achieving things few darts players could ever dream of.

Away from the bright lights, he enjoys takeaway food, collecting football cards, playing video games with friends and spending time with family.

Yet much of his life has unfolded under an intense public spotlight.

Within months of becoming a household name, his social media following exploded from a few thousand people to more than two million.

Every result, every interview and every gesture is now analysed in a way few athletes experience at such a young age.

Part of the hostility undoubtedly comes from his success.

Sport has always loved an underdog, and the more Littler wins, the more opposition he is likely to face from rival supporters.

Golf superstar Rory McIlroy and Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton have both experienced similar treatment despite their achievements.

What makes Littler’s story remarkable is that he continues to thrive in spite of it.

The teenager has won four major televised titles already this season and remains on course for a historic clean sweep of every major televised tournament in 2026.

His ability to perform under pressure is extraordinary, highlighted by his record in deciding legs, where he has repeatedly delivered when the stakes are highest.

But questions remain about the long-term impact of the scrutiny and hostility.

How much can any teenager take before deciding enough is enough?

Humphries believes people sometimes forget there is a human being behind the headlines.

“Everyone thinks he’s a robot but he’s not,” he said. “He is a normal person — a good kid as well.”

For now, Littler appears determined to keep going, helped by the support of those closest to him.

Faith, a beautician from Wigan, has travelled the world alongside him and become a constant source of encouragement during the most demanding period of his young career.

Littler has often admitted that social media can be difficult to escape.

“I am always on social media,” he once said. “I see everything.”

But when the noise becomes too much, home remains his safe place.

“When I’m at home I turn to the family more and obviously Faith as well,” he said.

“She’s been massive for me.”