Luke Littler, 17, becomes youngest world darts champion after beating Michael van Gerwen

Teenage sensation Luke Littler has won the World Darts Championship after beating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace.

The 17-year-old surged to a 4-0 lead and never looked in danger despite his Dutch rival staging a mini revival.

He was assured all night, repeatedly knocking in double 10 and double-top to heap pressure on the three-time champion.

Littler, who lost in the final last year, was the pre-tournament favourite after winning 10 trophies this season.

“I can’t believe it! Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Littler said.

“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy but you have to get through a tough field,” he added.

The big showdown appeared too close to call beforehand, with both players in fine form and thrashing their respective semi-final opponents 6-1.

But Littler took the title and the £500,000 prize in front of a raucous London crowd, becoming the youngest world darts champion.

“Every moment he got to hurt me, he did,” said van Gerwen. “I sometimes say every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them.”

“At 2-0 up, I started getting nervous,” Littler admitted. “But I said to myself, ‘relax’. To get it over and done with is special.”

Littler averaged 102.73 against his opponent’s 100.69, hitting 56% of his doubles versus van Gerwen’s 37%.

There were 12 180s for the English player and 13 for the Dutchman.

Prime minister Keir Starmer was among the first to send congratulations, posting on X that it was an “inspirational performance”.

“You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved tonight, not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole,” said the PM.

Littler – who’s from Warrington in Cheshire – shot to fame during last year’s championships, when his run to the final captured the public imagination.

Luke Humphries, the 2024 winner and top of the PDC rankings, suffered a surprise defeat early in the tournament.