LUKE 'The Nuke' Littler says “all eyes would still be on me” even if title rival Luke Humphries had not been knocked out of the PDC World Darts Championship.

The 17-year-old from Warrington became an even heavier favourite to win the tournament after he did what the world number one could not do by reaching the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.

He had to dig deep to see off Ryan Joyce on Monday night and set up a New Year’s Day last-eight meeting with Nathan Aspinall.

Littler and Humphries were on course to meet in a blockbusting semi-final, but the latter succumbed to Peter Wright in a shock result.

“It possibly clears my path but it is still Nathan Aspinall in the way in the quarter-finals,” Littler said.

“There would have been expectation no matter what, even if Luke had got through.

READ MORE > When Littler will play his World Championship quarter-final

“I got through and all eyes would still be on me, but Nathan stands in the way. It’s going to be the best man on the night that is the winner.

“I am expecting him to play very well, we have played each other many times, we know how each other can play, but it’s the quarter-finals of the World Championship so may the best man win on the day.”

Littler revealed he found out about Humphries’ demise in Sunday night's session at 2am, having fallen asleep.

“I fell asleep in the whole of the evening session,” he added.

“I went to sleep from about 7pm until 2am and I checked my phone and saw the result and I was like, ‘really?!’. I missed the whole game.”

He said he knew he knew he would have a tough fight on his hands against Joyce.

"Both of us played very well. Ryan won't be happy with the result but the way he played I think he should go off that stage really happy," added Littler.

"It was very tough. I knew he'd be right behind me the whole game. I knew Ryan would take out the big finishes and I knew he'd do very well on his doubles. I'm happy to have won it.

"I definitely felt the adrenalin in these last two games.

"I know I can switch up the gears. I'd like to win comfortably, but it's the world championship and it's not going to happen.

"But I think winning in sticky situations is even better because you then know you can get out of them.

"I was probably more comfortable (in the world championships) last year when no-one knew me, playing with absolute freedom.

"I'd say the last two games I've played with a bit of freedom and then the adrenalin boost has been there for me."

Had he managed to hit a nine-darter last night he would have been the first to achieve the feat five times at the top level in one calendar year.

He has been so close to the fifth one earlier in this tournament, and in others as the season has progressed, but could not quite pull it off.

"Disappointment is there because I could have broken the record," said Littler.

"Every time I went off with 180 or 177 against Ryan the crowd wanted it.

"Hopefully we can start the new year off by hitting one for the fans."

In the aftermath of the other last-16 matches, and looking ahead to tomorrow's quarter-finals, Michael van Gerwen has accused Peter Wright of talking “nonsense” after the two-time world champion said Callan Rydz was the tournament favourite.

World number 43 Rydz has been a surprise package at Ally Pally but will face his toughest test yet when he takes on the Dutchman in the last eight.

Wright is well known for his outlandish claims, but Van Gerwen is not entertaining them.

“Every year at the Worlds he talks so much nonsense,” he said.

“Peter Wright, he is always allowed to talk crap, do you know what I mean? No one takes him seriously on the tour as well because he is not allowed an opinion at home.”

Chris Dobey is aiming to reach a first semi-final as he takes on resurgent 2021 champion Gerwyn Price, while crowd favourite Stephen Bunting also has eyes on a maiden last-four spot when he takes on Wright.