Nathan Aspinall's Sad Admission About How Other Darts Players Treat Luke Littler

Nathan Aspinall made a sad admission about how other players on the professional darts circuit treat Luke Littler.

The emergence of Littler has seen the popularity of darts soar over the past 12 months, with viewing figures hitting new heights in January last year, when the teenager came up against Luke Humphries in the World Championship final.

A record-breaking 4.8 million people tuned in to watch that match, which catapulted Littler to a global audience.

"The Nuke" has gone on to win almost every major TV tournament in the first two years of his professional career and now, he will be hoping to secure his place in the final of the 2026 World Championship with victory over Ryan Searle.

This time last year, Littler had just beaten Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Aspinall and Littler share a close friendship. Image credit: Getty

Speaking ahead of that game, Aspinall gave an insight into his friendship with Littler, as well as how the teenager is viewed by others on the professional darts circuit.

"I see myself, not so much of a role model, but a bit of an older brother to him in the darts world," said Aspinall. "We don’t speak much outside of darts but when it comes to darts, I do try to help him. He’s a nice kid."

Aspinall went on to claim that many of his fellow dart players are envious of Littler's success.

"He hasn’t got many mates on the tour because a lot of people are jealous of him," he added. "I am not. I appreciate what he has done for the game. What he has done for himself and his family. I think he’s a fantastic darts player.

"How he has handled himself at 17 with the media... I don’t think many men, full-grown adults, could do what he has done. I tip my hat to the guy…but I’m still going to smash him on New Year’s Day."

Luke Littler is "good friends" with fellow tour player and they speak "nearly every day"

Ahead of last year's World Matchplay semi-finals, Littler opened up on his close friendship with former world youth champion Josh Rock.

"We've been good friends now for quite a while. We’re always in the backroom chatting and practising,” Littler said. "He has been playing really good darts for quite a few months. Obviously I've come on the scene, but I can definitely say he is an underdog."

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Rock would also recall how the pair met. "It was in Killarney before I won my tour card. Everybody had heard of him. He was in Lakeside, and I actually beat him 4-2 in that scenario. But in short format it means nothing.”

He added: “It was in the WDF where you start from, and I would say when he won his tour card that he’s matured a lot and we talk nearly every day.”