Luke Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history on Friday when the 17-year-old Englishman lived up to his billing as Britain’s latest sporting superstar. Littler beat three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at a boisterous Alexandra Palace in London.

The dream final has its fairy-tale ending. Luke Littler, the most famous 17-year-old in Britain, is also now the youngest world champion in the history of darts. That he should achieve this feat by fully seven years tells you everything about a jaw-dropping achievement that rates with any of the most seismic teenage accomplishments in sport.

Luke Littler lifted the lid on what Michael van Gerwen told him after his historic victory in the World Darts Championship final on Friday evening. Having come up short in last year’s final on debut,

Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen – how the rivals match up ahead of final - Littler is trying to win his first World Championship title while Van Gerwen is chasing a fourth.

Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen are set to write to latest chapter of their engrossing rivalry when they face off in the World Darts Championship final on Friday. The pair have been the two outsanding players this year at Ally Pally and cruised through their semi-finals to set up a blockbuster final which has all the makings of a potential classic.