FRIDAY, January 3, 2025 will now forever be etched into Warrington's sporting history.

For it was the night Padgate lad Luke Littler's fulfilled his destiny to rule his sport by winning the World Darts Championship.

Will it be the first of many? All the signs certainly point to that after the 17-year-old became by far the youngest person ever to win the tournament just 12 months after being a losing finalist as an unseeded debutant, but the first will always be remembered.

Here, we look back at a historic evening in pictures...

Anticipation was at fever pitch before the match as the tournament's two most in-form players met to decide the fate of the trophy (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Luke The Nuke makes his first appearance of the night, soaking up the adulation from the crowd (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

A respectful handshake between the two finalists before battle commences (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

A red-hot start sees Littler storm into a 4-0 lead (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Van Gerwen was not being allowed a sniff, with Littler continuing to take the game away from him (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

More celebrations from The Nuke after moving a step closer to victory (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Littler enjoyed support from popular Youtubers Pieface and Angryginge on the night (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

With victory secured, the emotions come tumbling out for the teenager (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Littler took his third match dart on double 16 to seal his 7-3 win (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

An emotional Littler waits to receive the trophy (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Van Gerwen was dignified in defeat, with his wait for a fourth world title continuing (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Now, The Nuke can finally get his hands on the trophy which was presented by Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

You can touch it now, Luke - it's all yours! (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Littler lifts the trophy in front of the Ally Pally crowd (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

The celebrations continue closer to home at the St Helens Darts Academy, where Littler honed his craft from the age of 10 (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

A wholesome moment as Littler's family join him on stage to celebrate (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

I suppose I best find somewhere to put this (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)