Cheshire teenager secures spot in World Darts Championship quarter-finals

Cheshire teenager, Luke Littler, has secured a space in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship.

Luke continued his historic run at the PDC World Darts Championship with a sensational victory over five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.

The teenage sensation says victory over his hero Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship was "unbelievable".

Littler said: "It's incredible beating one of my idols on the biggest stage of all, I still can't believe it."

"I think I am daring to dream now, I have seen the draw.

"I am only three wins away now. I'm so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear, I have got no-one to fear, my game can be better than anyone's on the day and I have shown it there against one of the greatest who have graced that stage.

"With performances like that I can go all the way.

"I've pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.

"I fancy myself. I do fancy myself."

He was not even born when Van Barneveld won the last of his five titles.

Video footage has emerged of a three-year-old Littler copying 'Barney's' celebration and has admitted it was a dream to play him on the Ally Pally stage.

He added: "It is unbelievable, 13 years ago I was doing his celebration throwing on my little board and I have just beaten him on the biggest stage.

"Barney said to me at the end, 'You can go all the way. I hope you go all the way'. I said, 'Thank you'.

"He is a true gentlemen. I respect Raymond very well.

"Raymond was incredible. It was incredible to see his iconic walk-on, I am so glad I got the job done. It wasn't easy."

After a 4-1 win, Littler - the youngest player ever to reach the last 16 of the tournament - will now face Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the quarter-finals on New Year's Day.

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