Phil Taylor Speaks for First Time on Luke Littler Surpassing 16 World Titles

Phil Taylor has spoken out for the first time on whether Luke Littler can overhaul his record of 16 world darts titles.

Taylor, now 65, won two BDO world titles in 1990 and 1992 before becoming one of the 16 founder members of the PDC.

He added 14 more titles to his collection between 1995 and 2013, and his last match as a professional was at the 2018 World Championship final, where he lost 7-3 to Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace.

Littler, meanwhile, lifted his second world crown earlier this month after defeating Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final.

He has won the title in consecutive years after his 7-3 win over Michael van Gerwen in 2025.

Given he is still just 18 - he turns 19 later in January - there have already been questions raised over whether 'The Nuke' could be the one to break Taylor's title record.

Luke Littler won the 2026 World Darts Championship (Image: Getty)

Littler was asked about that possibility by a reporter after defeating Van Veen.

And while he said he would be 'happy' to win 'five or six' world titles in the PDC, he didn't rule out being around for long enough to try and break Taylor's record.

"It's so far away," he said. "What's that, 14 to go [to match]?

"If it happens, it happens. I'll be around for a very long time, and I'm here to win.

"Who knows if I could reach it? If I could get five or six, I'd be happy."

Now, Taylor has responded to Littler's comments.

Speaking to The Sun, 'The Power' says that Littler has a 'bloody good chance' of winning 16 world titles, adding: "If anybody's got a chance, it's definitely him, that's for sure.

Taylor won the last of his 16 World Championships in 2013 (Image: Getty)

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"You know what, every time he does well, he keeps putting me back in the limelight. Honestly, I'm getting more publicity now than when I was winning it.

"He's on an another planet at the minute. The lad's playing brilliantly. He takes pressure really, really well."

Taylor then went on to issue a proclamation about the 18-year-old: "In fact, all the years I've played darts, he probably takes the pressure better than anybody I've ever seen.

"Whether that's because he's young or, I don't know. He's just majorly confident. He's brilliant. I can't fault him."

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