Luke Littler reveals what Nathan Aspinall told him after his stunning nine-darter at Bahrain Darts Masters

Luke Littler revealed what Nathan Aspinall told him after he hit a stunning nine-darter in the quarter-final of the Bahrain Darts Masters.

The 16-year-old went on to win the entire event for his first senior PDC title, beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final.

That was the third of three matches on what was a gruelling day for Littler, which began with his quarter-final clash against world number four Aspinall.

And in what was anticipated to be a high-scoring and fast-paced encounter, Littler got off to the ideal start.

In the first leg of the match, 'The Nuke' achieved perfection down the traditional 180-180-141 route, in what was his first televised nine-darter.

He then broke Aspinall's throw to go 2-0 ahead in the match, and while the Stockport-born dartist immediately broke back before levelling at 2-2, Littler then strode ahead and secured a 6-3 victory.

'The Nuke' then beat Gerwyn Price by the same scoreline in the semi-final, before his historic win over Van Gerwen to seal the title and £20,000 in prize money.

Speaking to ITV's Dan Dawson shortly after the match had concluded, Littler admitted that it was 'good to get one on TV', having already hit a nine-darter on the Development Tour and in youth matches.

The usually reserved 16-year-old couldn't help but scream in celebration after hitting the final double 12, and the crowd burst into raptures at the achievement.

LUKE LITTLER HITS A NINE-DARTER! 🚨

More history from the 16-year-old sensation!!! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/o23C5P6AqL

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 19, 2024

Aspinall, who was visibly pleased for the darts sensation as he applauded him, did send a message to Littler immediately afterwards that put the feat slightly in context.

Littler explained: "Nathan said to me after I hit it, 'It's only a hold of throw!'

"I said, "I know that myself!'"

As already mentioned, 'The Nuke' took head of Aspinall's comment - and ended up breaking the world number four's throw in the next leg.

His nine-darter, meanwhile, meant he became just the second PDC player to achieve the feat at a World Series event after the legendary 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

He'll definitely be hoping that isn't the last one he hits on his first season on the senior tour.