The Kid Who Went From Kebabs to the King's Honours List

By Lewis Barnett 13 June, 2025 5 mins read 123 Views

Two years ago I watched this scrawny kid from Warrington throw darts on TV and thought "decent, but he's just another teenager who'll fade away." Boy, was I wrong.

Luke Littler has just pulled off something that makes my head spin every time I think about it. We're talking about a kid who was probably worrying about his GCSEs in 2022, and now he's getting an MBE from King Charles. At 18. Eighteen!

Hear this Article

From Zero to £2 Million (Yeah, You Read That Right)

The numbers are absolutely mental when you break them down. This kid has earned over £2 million in prize money and sponsorships. His dad drove taxis. His mum worked at Yankee Candle - and honestly, good for them, those places smell amazing but the pay isn't exactly life-changing money.

Now Luke's got deals with boohooMAN, novelty kebabs named after him (because of course he does), and he's about to appear on Gogglebox. The whole thing reads like someone's fever dream.

I remember texting my mate Dave after Littler's first big win: "This kid's going to change everything." Dave's response? "Mate, he's 16. Chill."

Dave owes me a pint.

The Royal Treatment

Here's what gets me about this MBE business - Luke Littler is one of only seven darts players to ever get this kind of recognition. Seven! In the entire history of a sport that fills arenas and gets millions watching on TV.

The list includes legends like Eric Bristow (RIP), John Lowe, Trina Gulliver, Fallon Sherrock, and Keith Deller. Then there's the Phil Taylor situation, which... well, let's just say his MBE got yanked after some very bad decisions in 2001.

Luke Humphries is getting one too, which makes sense. The guy's got eight major titles and he's been consistently brilliant. But still - Luke Littler at 18 is joining this incredibly exclusive club.

What This Actually Means

Look, I've covered sports for fifteen years, and I've never seen anything quite like this. The kid reached the World Championship final as an amateur at 16, lost to the world number one, then came back the next year and won the whole damn thing.

His rookie professional season was basically perfect. Second place in BBC Sports Personality of the Year behind Keely Hodgkinson - and honestly, that's not bad company to keep.

But here's what really impresses me: every interview I've seen, every press conference, Luke's been nothing but polite and professional. No ego, no drama, just a kid who loves throwing tungsten at a board and happens to be freakishly good at it.

The Snobbery Problem

Barry Hearn (who got his MBE in 2021 and apparently pins it to his cricket bat - legend) once told me that honours committees have always been weird about working-class sports. Darts, snooker, boxing - they don't get teh same respect as tennis or rowing.

That's changing though. When you've got grown men wearing shirts with "The Nuke" on them and magnetic dartboards with Luke's face selling out faster than concert tickets, you can't ignore the cultural impact anymore.

Sir Luke?

I keep thinking about where this goes next. The kid's 18 with an MBE, multiple world records, and he's already changed how people see darts forever.

Will we see Sir Luke Littler in twenty years? Honestly, at this point I wouldn't bet against it.

From kebabs to the King's honours list in two years. That really does hit the bullseye.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

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.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

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.

Statistics

The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.

External Links

How To

Throwing Technique: The Basics

The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.