LUKE LITTLER has had an extraordinary journey in 2024, with unwavering support from his parents every step of the way.
This article explores the lives of darts star’s parents, Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler, as Luke aims for the 2024/25 World Darts Championship.
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Who Are Luke Littler’s Parents?
Luke Littler’s parents are Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler.
Beyond being his parents, Anthony and Lisa are also his most ardent supporters.
They have been with Luke throughout his darts career from a young age.
To aid Luke’s progress in the sport, his parents provided him with a proper dartboard and took him to local pubs to practice.
What Do Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler Do?
Luke’s father, Anthony, is a taxi driver in Warrington, Cheshire.
Meanwhile, his mother, Lisa, works at a shop that specializes in scented candles.
Reflecting on Luke’s sporting journey, Buckley shared with The Times: “He was a fantastic footballer and loved football, like most kids. But at the age of nine, I suggested he focus on darts.”
“He could still enjoy football, but if there was a darts competition on the weekend, that should take precedence.”
“I saw his potential in darts — and he has proven me right.”
“Once I encouraged him to pursue darts, he was completely on board. We participated in every competition we could locate online.”
“Frequently, we were up at 7am on my only day off to ensure he could practice darts. There were no lazy mornings for us.”
What Age Are Luke Littler’s Parents?
Currently, Luke’s father Anthony is 43 years old.
His mother, Lisa, is 40 years old.
She regularly celebrates her son’s accomplishments in the sport on social media.
Lisa was notably the one who shared a touching video of 18-month-old Luke joyfully throwing darts while in his nappy.
When he first started coming here as a little one, it was clear he was something special, continuously improving year after year.
Karl Holden
Are Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler Involved in Luke’s Darts Career?
A video surfaced in December 2023 featuring a young Luke, at just 18 months old, throwing darts at a magnetic board.
This board was a gift from his father, Anthony Buckley, who has casually enjoyed darts as well.
Even at such a tender age, Luke’s darting skills were already noticeable.
Seven years later, he began training at the well-known St Helens Darts Shop, a place that has assisted several professional players, including Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall, and Stephen Bunting.
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Luke’s childhood coach, Karl Holden, who trained him at the shop located northeast of Liverpool city center, noted that by the age of nine, he was already ahead of his competitors.
He stated, “He’s been here since the age of nine. We are all incredibly proud of him.”
“From the very first moment he stepped in as a child, it was clear he had a special gift, and he kept enhancing his skills annually.”
“We promoted him to the U14s when he was just nine, and within three months, he was winning against everyone with ease.”
He added, “At nine, he was already quite impressive. By the time he turned 11, he was extraordinarily talented.”
“He is undoubtedly a natural; I would liken him to the (Cristiano) Ronaldo of darts.”
“At 16, he is already among the top players worldwide.”
By the time he turned 11, he was competing against and winning against adult players.
The following year, he faced Humphries at a competition held on Hayling Island — an opponent he later encountered again in the world championship final, which he lost 7-4.
This took place in November 2019, when Humphries, now 28, defeated Littler.
Reflecting on it, Littler remarked: “I lost in the quarter-finals at Hayling Island to Luke Humphries; I missed a few chances to take the lead, including a bull for 164, but it was a fantastic match.”
In a discussion about his remarkable journey with the BBC, Littler shared: “At four, I upgraded to a real board. I’ve been practicing consistently since I was 18 months old.”
“After moving to Warrington around the age of eight or nine, we began visiting pubs four to five times a week for practice.”
Littler has gained many new fans due to his phenomenal rise, but his father Anthony remains his most devoted supporter.
A post from Junior Darts Co back in 2017 featured Anthony saying, “Keep an eye out for 10-year-old Luke Littler this year!”
Both of Luke’s parents were present at Ally Pally, supporting him during his remarkable run in the 2023/24 PDC World Darts Championship.
After defeating Campbell, Littler remarked: “I nearly teared up when I saw my mom in the audience.”
“She looked anxious, covering her face with her hands. I reassured her, saying, ‘The dream continues,’ and she mirrored that back to me.”
Luke is gearing up to compete in the Darts Premier League 2024, having secured his spot in the lineup following his impressive performance at the World Championships earlier this year.
