Darts icon Phil Taylor offers to mentor Luke Littler – but has one unusual condition

Darts icon Phil Taylor said he would happily mentor Luke Littler – but said he had one rather unusual condition that the 17-year-old would have to agree to.

The 17-year-old shot to stardom with his run to the World Darts Championship final at the start of the year and has continued to shine on the oche since that incredible few weeks at Alexandra Palace.

The teenager has landed the Premier League title during his first season as a professional so far, rising to number 20 in the world rankings and will soon be turning his attention to another crack at the World Championship title.

Despite his meteoric rise, the Nuke is still early in his professional journey and has reportedly reached out to darting icon Phil Taylor for advice.

The legendary 16-time World Champion, who recently retired from competition, said he would happily take up the offer but said he would have to come and live with the teenager if he was to be able to give proper advice.

‘With young Luke, they have asked me if I would sit down with him. I said: “Of course, I will”,’ Taylor told talkSPORT. ‘But I would have to go and live with him for a few days, see what he is all about.

‘I know young Luke, we have the same sponsor. If I spent time with him, I would see how he practises, see how he eats and exercises, how he does anything.

‘If he’s playing on those PlayStations, I would give him a set time, an hour a night or something, and then get ready for the next day.

‘Make sure you aren’t staying up late and wake up in the morning and you are shattered.

‘I have seen that many, many times – players who will have a drink afterwards, they get into the drinking and then they aren’t getting to bed until 1am or 2am.’

Littler, meanwhile, who is back on the oche this week in the European Championship in Dortmund, has seen his immense popularity bring with it some unwanted involvement as well.

That’s after the teenager had to warn fans on social media that fake accounts were scamming customers by claiming to sell his merchandise.

He posted on X: ‘Wanted to share this with you guys as I have been seeing a lot of fake profiles being created of me and my management online.

‘These fake accounts like the two screenshots have been scamming people and taking their money in return for merch that they then don’t get sent

‘If you want to buy anything to support me please only go to trusted places including @TargetDarts and zxfsports.co.uk and if you see any more of these kind of posts please report.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.