Well, this is awkward.
Luke Littler's rumoured girlfriend Faith Millar was there in the VIP section Thursday night, watching her 18-year-old boyfriend get absolutely schooled by Luke Humphries at the O2. And honestly? The cameras catching her cheering him on in that red sleeveless top made the whole thing feel even more brutal. Nothing like having your new relationship broadcast while you're getting your title defense crushed 11-8.
Poor kid went from defending champion to... well, not champion anymore.
The Girlfriend Situation Gets Real
Faith Millar - she's 19, works as a beautician in Wigan (which is like 15 miles from Luke's hometown of Warrington, so basically neighbors in northern England terms) - was sitting right there next to Anthony Buckley and Lisa Littler. That's Luke's dad and mum, for those keeping track of the family dynamics. When you're getting introduced to the parents section at major sporting events, things are getting serious.
These two have been doing this weird will-they-won't-they dance since February. Met in February, first public sighting in March after he won night eight at Newcastle (they left together, which was... telling), and then boom - Instagram official in May with one of those classic "his arm around her" photos that scream "yes we're dating now deal with it."
Timing Is Everything (And Sometimes It Sucks)
Here's the thing that gets me - Luke hadn't been with anyone since his split from Eloise Milburn back in July 2024. Remember her? She was there when he won this exact same tournament last year, celebrating like they'd just won the lottery. Fast forward twelve months adn it's Faith in the stands watching him lose the thing he won with his ex.
Sports are weird like that. One year you're on top of the world with one person, next year you're getting beat by Luke Humphries with someone completely different cheering you on.
When the Cameras Find You
The TV producers knew exactly what they were doing when they cut to the Littler family section during the match. There's Faith, looking nervous as hell, surrounded by Luke's parents while their golden boy is getting outplayed by a guy who's been waiting forever for this moment. You could practically feel the tension through teh screen.
Luke did manage to come back against Gerwyn Price in the semis (won 10-7 after being behind, which was pretty impressive), but Humphries was just... different that night. Red-hot doesn't even cover it.
What Happens Next?
Look, losing sucks. Losing when your new girlfriend is watching from the VIP section while sitting next to your parents? That's a special kind of pressure that most 18-year-olds never have to deal with.
But here's what I keep thinking about - this kid won this tournament last year as a teenager with a different girlfriend, broke up, found someone new, and made it back to the final again. At 18. Most people his age are worried about college applications, not defending major sporting titles while navigating public relationships.
Faith seems like she's sticking around regardless of Thursday night's result, which honestly might be the most important win Luke got this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I improve my dart throwing technique?
Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.
How far should I stand from the dartboard?
The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?
The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.
Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.
Statistics
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
Aiming Systems & Practice Routines
When I first started, I would just aim at whatever number I needed. But after watching some YouTube tutorials in 2018, I learned about the "clock" system. Imagine the board as a clock face. If you're aiming for the 20, but hit the 5, you're throwing too far to the right (clockwise). Adjust accordingly.
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