I confronted Luke Littler's dad over his treatment of his son when he was just 12, says darts rival Nathan Aspinall
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Luke Littler may just be the most exciting talent darts has ever seen, but one of his rivals has revealed their surprise at his father's tough-love approach when The Nuke was just 12 years old. Littler has become arguably the most talented teenager since Wayne Rooney to emerge in the English sporting landscape, and consolidated that with a majestic World Championship win last week.
![[Littler's father Anthony (right) helped shape the prodigious talent with tough love early in his career]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/06/12/93784643-0-image-a-2_1736167579806.jpg)
He defeat three-time champion Michael van Gerwen - considered the best player of his generation by many - 7-3 in a stunning show of skill, having reached his second successive final. Littler has gone on to transform the face of darts and breathe new life and attention into the sport, shattering records, dart boards and TV viewing figures along the way, picking up the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2024 for good measure.
![[Aspinall was one of Littler's victims on his way to a stunning World Darts Championship crown]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/06/12/93784659-0-image-a-3_1736168235849.jpg)
However one of his rivals, Nathan Aspinall, who he beat on the way to his Alexandra Palace triumph last week, has opened up on the first time he ever came across The Nuke, and how his father Anthony has shaped this prodigious talent. 'The first time I came across Luke, I think it was in Chester in a tournament and I beat him 4-3,' said The Asp.
![[Anthony has been in Littler's corner throughout his career and was there to give his son some final words of encouragement before Friday's final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/06/12/93784645-0-image-a-4_1736168241709.jpg)
Nathan Aspinall has spoken about his first meeting with Luke Littler with the Nuke aged just 12. Littler's father Anthony (right) helped shape the prodigious talent with tough love early in his career. Aspinall was one of Littler's victims on his way to a stunning World Darts Championship crown.
![[Darts legend Phil Taylor believes Luke Littler can beat his record 16 World Championships]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/06/12/93768043-0-Phil_Taylor_left_in_2010_believes_Luke_Littler_can_beat_his_reco-a-5_1736168273266.jpg)
