Luke Littler books World Darts Championship semi-final spot after copying Chelsea legend

01/01/2025 06:31 PM

Luke Littler reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship on Wednesday after copying the celebration of Chelsea icon Didier Drogba.

Littler defeated Nathan Aspinall 5-2 at Alexandra Palace and is now set for a showdown with fellow fan-favourite Stephen Bunting in the last four.

The 17-year-old burst onto the scene at Ally Pally last year with a runner-up finish to Luke Humphries and is hoping to go one better this time around.

‘The Nuke’ showed few signs of nerves in his quarter-final win over Aspinall, requiring just 12 darts to win the opening leg, and then swiftly breaking his opponent’s throw.

As Littler made his way off stage having gone a set up without dropping a leg within a matter of minutes, the teenager grinned at his family and friends in the crowd.

Littler was then seen sticking his arms out the side, recreating the iconic football celebration of Chelsea’s legendary former striker Drogba.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his victory over Aspinall, Littler said: ‘I think we both played very well there. I’m so glad to win.

‘The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it.

‘The Ryan Meikle game was very tough but ever since it has felt like last year. I’m just playing with absolute confidence.

‘When they’re going in I’m playing with freedom, but now I’m looking on to the semi-finals.

‘They’ve [the crowd] been good for me tonight. They’ve also been good to Stephen.

‘They can take their pick and support whoever they want to tomorrow. I can see quite a few Nuke shirts in here, so I think I’ve got the better!’

Bunting, meanwhile, who has become famous for his ‘Titanium’ walk-on, reached the semi-finals by beating two-time world champion Peter Wright.