Luke Littler pipped to the post in BBC Sports Personality of the year vote
LUKE ‘The Nuke’ Littler has made history with his success in BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024.
Although bookmakers’ favourite Keely Hodgkinson pipped him to the main award in a public vote in the 71st year of the event, the Warringtonian was crowned victor by judging panel in the young category.
Littler, who finished runner-up for the top prize, is Warrington’s and darts’ first winner of the young award, which was first presented in 1999.
Keely Hodgkinson after receiving the award for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, alongside Luke Littler with the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2024 award (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
The teenage darts prodigy’s proud moment was confirmed live on BBC One this evening at the annual prestigious ceremony staged at MediaCity in Salford.
Alongside Team GB’s Paris golden Olympics girl Hodgkinson, Littler’s other rivals for the top award were footballer Jude Bellingham, cricketer Joe Root, Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey and Olympic triathlon gold medal winner Alex Yee.
Former Brook Acre Community Primary School and Padgate Academy student Littler was on a shortlist of three, alongside Olympic skateboarder Sky Brown and para-swimmer William Ellard, for the young award.
The 17-year-old caused a sensation when he became the youngest player to reach the final of the PDC World Darts Championship in January, where he lost 7-4 to world number one Luke Humphries.
Littler, who lives in Appleton, has since become the sport’s Premier League champion and his victory at the major ranking Grand Slam of Darts made him only the fourth player in history to win 10 trophies in one season.
Littler’s Premier League success made him the youngest-ever winner of a PDC title, and his earnings for the year have surpassed £1million.
‘The Nuke’ starts his second campaign in the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Saturday.
BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2024 WINNERS:
Sports Personality of the Year: Keely Hodgkinson.
Team of the Year: Wigan Warriors.
Coach of the Year: Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows.
Young Sports Personality: Luke Littler.
Lifetime Achievement: Sir Mark Cavendish.
Helen Rollason Award: Dr Mark Prince.
Unsung Hero: Jean Paton.
World Sports Star: Armand Duplantis.
