Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Tom Jenkins
Luke Littler has put to bed rumours that he met his girlfriend, Elouise Milburn whilst playing FIFA in a new interview ahead of the conclusion of the Dutch Masters.
Littler has gone from a normal teenager to one of the most recognisable faces and names in the entire country following his incredible run to the World Championship final at the Ally Pally.
The 17-year-old (incredibly he isn't 16 anymore) showed the world of darts he wasn't a one-hit wonder by winning the Bahrain Masters last week, beating Michael van Gerwen in the final to take home his first PDC Men's title.
Littler could be on track to make more history tonight as he cruised into finals day for the Dutch Masters, thrashing Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 in his opening match.
Littler's round of 16 victory is made even more impressive due to the intense booing he faced from the home crowd.
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The teenager has been the talk of the nation since his rise to stardom, so it's no surprise he has been subject to mass media attention with hundreds of stories about the youngster.
One of the most widespread claims is that Littler met his current girlfriend, Elouise Milburn, whilst playing FIFA online, but in a recent interview with The Guardian, the couple revealed the truth.
“No! That was a weird story they made up, we met on the development tour in Leicester in August but became friends at the last [tournament] in Milton Keynes," Littler reiterated.
Milburn has faced a significant amount of backlash online for her relationship with Littler due to the fact she is 21 years old and was five years Littler's senior during the World Championships.
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During the interview, Milburn spoke on the hate she had been receiving: “It was tough to start with, the first day I let it get to me a lot but you learn that as long as the pair of you are happy, that’s all that matters. The people that matter most are supportive of us.”
Littler also opened up on the reaction to his relationship with Milburn and revealed the steps he has taken to ensure the hate doesn't affect his mental strength as he starts his first year on the PDC tour.
“That’s what I knew from the very start. We knew people would find out [about their relationship] but it started off very bad. As the weeks go on [the abuse of Milburn on social media] has been almost forgotten," Littler said.
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"We’ve been talking for a few months now. I’ve brought her along to the worlds, got to the final and whatever people say, they can say it. It’s not going to affect me or my mental strength. I’ve got guys doing my Instagram now and they delete it before I see it.”