Darts icon lifts lid on Luke Littler’s intimidating ‘swagger’ fuelled by teen’s ‘steely’ backstage entourage

Luke Littler has a “swagger” that sets him apart from the rest of the field, according to former world champion Glen Durrant.

The world No.1 has taken the darts world by storm, already becoming the third most successful player in the sport with a remarkable 12 PDC premier event titles, including back-to-back PDC World Darts Championship victories.

Durrant believes ‘The Nuke’s’ presence away from the oche is just as intimidating as his performances on it, insisting the teenager carries a confidence rarely seen in the modern game.

Speaking on the Double Tops podcast, he said: “I think Littler has got the swagger now. When he walks in, as a player you don’t always see it — I’m watching in the media room.

“The only swagger I have ever seen was Michael van Gerwen in his pomp. I wasn’t around the PDC with Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor.

“That era was all about banter and personality. Now they are all like robots — it’s music in there, it’s all about preparation.

“They all work with sports psychologists.”

Presenter Polly James then lifted the lid on Littler’s mentality behind the scenes, revealing how the youngster carries himself before matches.

She said: “Littler walks in and he has this entourage.

“He will have the steely look and be like, I am going in the practice room. Nothing else matters — I am here to play the game.

“Gerwyn Price is like that as well. And then you have your Jonnys and Luke Humphries who are like, ‘hey, what is happening’.

“Then the others, you shy away in the corridor and let them pass.”

That confidence was certainly on show in Dublin on Thursday evening, as Littler came back from five legs down to stun Gerwyn Price and claim another Premier League Darts night win.

The Warrington star currently sits second in the table after the comeback and will now be aiming to close the gap on Jonny Clayton next week, with just three points separating them at the top.