Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has disclosed that a crucial childhood operation was instrumental in shaping his path to becoming the sport's reigning world champion.
The surgery that sharpened his aim
The 18-year-old from Warrington underwent corrective surgery for strabismus, commonly known as a squint or cross-eye, when he was just four or five years old. The procedure, performed at Warrington Hospital, was insisted upon by his parents to correct the condition where the eyes do not align properly.
Littler now credits the intervention with giving him the precise 'treble-20 vision' essential for a professional darts player. Reflecting on what might have been, the young champion admitted the surgery was pivotal. "Well, who knows? It's one of those things, obviously, it had to be sorted," Littler said. "My mum and dad wanted that sorted."
From hospital to the heights of Ally Pally
While he has few memories of the operation itself, Littler recognises its profound impact. "I don't have many memories of that happening," he confessed, noting that family photographs show him resting afterwards. "But now you look at it, it was a good thing to get done at the time... Obviously, eyesight is really important."
That importance is undeniable in his career. The surgery's success has paid extraordinary dividends, helping Littler become the youngest world darts champion in history after his stunning victory at Alexandra Palace in January.
Darts dominates the festive sporting calendar
Littler is now preparing to defend his historic World Darts Championship title when the tournament resumes at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 27th December 2025. He passionately believes the event is the premier sporting spectacle of the Christmas period.
With England's Ashes campaign over and Premier League football taking a holiday break, Littler asserts that the Ally Pally bonanza is unmissable. "I mean, just tune in," he urged fans. "Obviously, the sport has taken off, leaps and bounds. And obviously, Christmas is darts."
He added a clear message for any potential viewers: "There's football going on as well. But all I see is that Christmas is for darts. And yeah, if anyone's not watching it at the minute, then you should turn it on after Christmas."
The young champion's journey from a hospital bed in Warrington to the pinnacle of world darts underscores how a single medical procedure can help unlock world-class talent, proving that for Luke Littler, clear vision was the first step towards seeing his name on the trophy.
