‘He is not Phil Taylor’ – Darts legend says it is pointless comparing Luke Littler to 87-time major winner
Colin Lloyd Insists Comparisons Between Luke Littler and Phil Taylor Are Pointless: “He Is Not Phil Taylor”
Darts legend Colin Lloyd, a former world No. 1 and two-time major winner, has firmly shut down the hype surrounding comparisons between teenage sensation Luke Littler and the sport’s greatest player, Phil Taylor, declaring it “pointless” to draw parallels between the two. In an interview with talkSPORT on May 15, 2025, Lloyd emphasized that Littler is carving his own path in a different era, stating: “I don’t want to use the words Taylor-esque because Taylor was the same. Different era, different players with two completely different people. He is not Phil Taylor. He is Luke Littler.” Taylor, with 87 major titles and 16 world championships, remains the benchmark, but Lloyd argues Littler should be judged on his unique achievements rather than constant references to “The Power.”
Lloyd’s Reasoning: Different Eras and Styles
Lloyd, who reached world No. 1 in 2005 and won majors like the World Grand Prix, believes the comparisons overlook the evolution of darts. Taylor dominated from the 1990s to 2010s with unparalleled consistency and intimidation, while Littler, at 18, has exploded onto the scene with a Triple Crown in 2025 (World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay) but operates in a more competitive field with higher averages and global TV exposure. “There’s only a small group of players that have been capable over the years to throw sublime darts for a period of time and make it look easy,” Lloyd added, placing Littler alongside Humphries and van Gerwen but insisting on letting him “forge his own legacy.”
Littler’s stats underscore his brilliance: Leading the PDC in 100+ averages (51 of 87 matches) and 180s (435, 78 more than second-place Beau Greaves), with five Premier League nightly wins securing playoffs at London’s O2 Arena. Yet, Lloyd warns against premature “Taylor-esque” labels, noting the eras’ differences in equipment, opposition, and pressure.
Littler’s Response and Ongoing Hype
Littler has embraced the comparisons but focused on his path, telling Sky Sports he’s “sure I can achieve a lot more” and eyeing Taylor’s 16 world titles. His Premier League dominance (38 points, eyeing a 40-point record) fuels the narrative, but Lloyd’s stance resonates amid rivals like Josh Rock challenging Littler weekly.
Fans on X debated the point, with #LittlerTaylor trending: “Lloyd’s right—let Luke be Luke, not the next Phil.” As Littler prepares for the World Grand Prix opener vs. van Veen (October 6), Lloyd’s words remind: He’s not Taylor—he’s the future.
