Luke Littler reveals best friend in darts as he names little-known 15-year-old as likely successor

LUKE LITTLER has identified Scottish sensation Mitchell Lawrie as the young player most likely to follow him to the top of the darts world.

The world No.1 was asked a series of quick-fire questions and wasted no time in naming the teenage prodigy when quizzed on the sport’s next breakout star.

Lawrie, nicknamed “Wee Sox”, is enjoying a remarkable rise through the ranks. The young Scot is currently on a 36-match winning streak on the JDC Advanced Tour and reached the WDF World Championship final at the age of just 15.

Despite being only four years older, Littler believes Lawrie has the talent to become one of the leading names in the sport and potentially a future rival on the biggest stages.

Speaking to The Athletic, Littler said: “There are honestly so many, but I would have to say the Scottish boy, Mitchell Lawrie.”

The reigning world champion was also asked which retired player he would most like to have faced during his career.

His answer came instantly: “Phil Taylor.”

Away from the oche, Littler revealed that Stephen Bunting is his closest friend in the game, with the pair sharing more than just a passion for darts after becoming co-owners of a racehorse.

When asked which walk-on song gets the biggest reaction from fellow professionals, Littler pointed to Bunting’s iconic entrance music.

He said: “It doesn’t annoy me, but it’s funny. Stephen Bunting’s Titanium. We all buzz off it.”

The 18-year-old was also quizzed about which player he would choose to be trapped in a lift with and selected one of darts’ biggest characters.

He replied: “Nathan Aspinall, why not?”

Littler also named Manchester as his favourite venue on the Premier League calendar and suggested one major change he would like to see made to the competition’s format.

“I would say Manchester in the Premier League,” he said.

“Get another two players in and make it ten.”

The comments provide another glimpse into the personality of darts’ biggest star, while also shining a spotlight on Lawrie, who many believe could be the next youngster to make a major impact on the professional circuit.