Darts legend Phil Taylor has advised teenage sensation Luke Littler to skip this month’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, urging him to focus on the £500,000 prize at stake in the PDC World Darts Championship.
The 16-time world champion feels the 17-year-old rising star should prioritise his preparation for the Alexandra Palace tournament.
Taylor believes the potential earnings from the World Championship could multiply significantly through publicity opportunities.
The prestigious SPOTY ceremony is scheduled for December 17, just two days after the World Championship begins.
Luke Littler is the second favourite to win SPOTYGetty
“I would advise him not to go on it,” Taylor told talkSPORT. “Look there’s half a million pound on the table. I wouldn’t do anything.”
“I’d just do a video and say thank you very much if I win and focus.
“But it isn’t just the half a million pound, it’s the publicity you’ll get, which he doesn’t need at the minute, and it’s also your spin-offs.
The darts icon emphasised the financial implications extend beyond the tournament prize money.
“That half a million quid could turn into £2million,” Taylor explained, referring to the potential publicity and spin-off opportunities.
Taylor clarified that while he hadn’t directly given this advice to Littler previously, it would be his recommendation if asked.
Phil Taylor feels Luke Littler should snub the awards ceremony
PA
Despite concerns about timing, Littler’s first match at Alexandra Palace isn’t scheduled until Saturday December 21, leaving him available to attend the SPOTY ceremony.
Taylor also warned about the risks of winter illnesses during the championship campaign.
“The first round for everybody is going to be a dodgy one,” Taylor said. “There’s all kinds of bugs flying about and illnesses and flus and whatever.”
“Make sure you don’t get laid up.”
Notably, Taylor backed Littler as his pick to win next month’s world championships.
Littler has enjoyed a remarkable year, securing ten titles in 2024 and achieving four nine-darters.
The teenage prodigy has risen to fourth in the PDC Order of Merit.
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Luke Littler has taken the darts world by storm in 2024
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His SPOTY nomination places him alongside sporting stars including Jude Bellingham, Joe Root, Keely Hodgkinson, Sarah Storey, and Alex Yee.
Littler has also earned a nomination for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
“This is MADDDD,” Littler wrote on Instagram following the nominations. “First young sports personality and now sports personality of the year…huge thank you to BBC Sport for nominating me.”
“Never thought I would be saying that.”
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