Why Luke Littler’s Brother Stopped Playing Darts Despite Being ‘Better Player’

Luke Littler is the No.1 ranked darts player in the world but his older brother was better than him, according to 'The Nuke'.

The reigning world champion is vying to defend his crown at Alexandra Palace, following in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson.

Littler booked his place in the semi-final with a stunning 5-0 win over Polish player Krzysztof Ratajski and with £100,000 in prize money secured, will now take on Ryan Searle on Friday night.

Even with some boos which riled him up and had Littler losing his head against Rob Cross, the new face of the sport is the heavy favourite to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy after becoming the youngest world champ last time out.

The 18-year-old quickly developed into the best player and biggest name in the sport after a rapid ascension.

Luke Littler is the heavy favourite to retain his crown. Image: Getty

But 'The Nuke' has previously admitted that his older brother Leon was a much better player than him at one point.

However, he stopped playing when the the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a lockdown in the United Kingdom back in March 2020.

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"My brother was actually as good as me, at one point he was better than me," Littler told The Guardian in a January 2024 interview.

"When lockdown hit, he stopped playing but he’s trying to get back into it. It’s good to see him falling back in love with the game.”

Leon is regularly at events supporting his brother alongside his mum and dad but given the incredible throwing abilities Littler has, his elder sibling has refused to play against him.

"I don't do it," he told The Sun ahead of Littler's World Championship win.

"I'm not going to embarrass myself. He's not going to let me win for a Christmas present is he? I used to play him all the time but I love watching him."

Littler's brother Leon was an avid darts player. Image: Facebook / James Fearn

Littler makes admission before semi-final

Littler could meet Anderson or Dutch sensation Gian van Veen in the final if he sees off Searle and has made it clear that he wants the fans "on my side' again after his previous meltdown.

Like he did last year when he went all the way, Littler has been staying at a rented house as opposed to being in the hotel where most of the players stay and practice.

However, for the second year running Littler elected against bringing a dartboard with him for practice.

"Obviously, I have not been practising for nearly two and a half, three days," Littler said.

"I tried to change my throw here, there, and everywhere. Most importantly, I got the job done.

"Just not practising, just being lazy in the house," Littler said Obviously, we've not brought our dartboard down.

"So yeah, I can't really practice, but I would have loved to. Now we play day after day, so hopefully tomorrow's a bit better.

"We stayed in the house last year, and it worked. Obviously, last year, house, no board, won it. House this year, no board- see what happens!"