LUKE AT ME NOW Emotional Luke Littler admits he ‘didn’t want to do it anymore’ in shock revelation after winning Premier League Darts

LUKE LITTLER broke down in tears as he became Premier League champion for the second time – and then revealed he almost quit over crowd abuse.

The Nuke, 19, walked away from the O2 Arena with £410,000 following a thrilling 11-10 win over Luke Humphries in North Greenwich.

It was one of the best finals in the tournament’s history and Littler came from 6-3 down against Cool Hand Luke to regain the title he won two years ago.

It has been a “rollercoaster” 17 weeks across eight countries in which he rowed with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester and was then booed by fans in Brighton, Rotterdam, Liverpool and Leeds.

Unbeknownst to only his nearest and dearest, the jeering really got to him and at home in Warrington.

He told girlfriend Faith in a private moment of vulnerability that he did not think he could carry on playing each week in the competition.

Before he had to cut short an on-stage TV interview due to the emotion, Littler said: “It’s been a rollercoaster.

“Four weeks bottom of the table and on the fifth night, I won my first night.

“I had to pick myself, some tough times. I had a 79 average in Brighton. It was tough, I was down bad and now I am here with the trophy.

“I said to Faith, I don’t want to do it anymore. The crowds week-in, week-out, I said to her, I am down bad.”

Humphries, 31, had been trying to become the third man to retain the Prem crown, after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.

Three ton-plus finishes in a row saw him move 6-3 up but when play resumed after the mid-game TV ad, Littler took control, finishing up with an extraordinary 111.67 average.

World No.2 Humphries, 31, said: “You see with Luke, it’s emotional playing in finals. It shows how much it means to you.

“You’re on the road for 17 weeks, some people take their families with them. I don’t.

“It’s hard work. You want that trophy. Maybe that’s why you see the emotion from Luke.

“I was unlucky. It was a great final. One of the best the Prem has seen. I am proud of the way I came back to get to the O2 and give him a good game. Fair play to him.

“A 111 average – that is a winners’ mentality. It’s been a great campaign for me.”

This was the ninth meeting between the Lukes of Hazard in this year’s Premier League and it was a record third time in a row that the pair had tussled in the final following the 2024 and 2025 editions.

In the opening semi-final, Littler led 9-4 over Gerwyn Price but then the Iceman, 41, fought back to force a last-leg decider.

The Welshman was forced to apologise to the reigning world champion when he did a provocative Big Fish celebration after hitting a 170 during leg 15.

The Warrington lad complained to referee Huw Ware because it was in his peripheral vision and the official pulled up Price before the start of leg 16.

Littler and Price shared a quick embrace and a hug and appeared to move on from the incident.

But then with his next throw, after nailing a 180, Price walked to the back of the stage and did the reeling-in celebration again.

In the second semi-final, Humphries was a relieved man as he survived a match dart and an incredible Jonny Clayton fightback to win 10-9.

Clayton – who had been tipped back in February to finish bottom of the eight-man table – was put off by a whistle from the crowd as he was throwing.

The Welsh Ferret made his feelings known towards the culprit with what appeared to be a lewd gesture as he walked backstage – and he is likely to be hit in the pocket for that.