‘back To Bed It Is’: Luke Littler Misses Darts Tournament Due To Traffic Jam

Luke Littler missed Wednesday’s Players Championship arena successful Wigan aft a postulation jam caused him to beryllium precocious for registration.

It is understood nan 18-year-old was stuck successful roadworthy congestion and did not get successful clip for nan strict 11am deadline. The reigning world champion has already qualified for adjacent month’s finals successful Minehead, aft winning Players Championship 32 earlier this month.

Littler appeared to return nan setback successful stride, sharing a image from wrong nan car to his Instagram story alongside nan caption “back to furniture it is, wonderment who they’re going to telephone up?” Subsequent posts suggested that nan world No 2 opted for a Chinese repast alternatively than catching up connected sleep.

Littler’s spot successful nan tie was taken by Charlie Manby, who went connected to hit erstwhile world champion Rob Cross successful different last-leg decider. It was besides a disappointing day for nan world No 1, Luke Humphries, arsenic he was edged retired 6-5 successful nan first information by outsider Adam Warner.

Nathan Aspinall and Damon Heta some deed nine-dart finishes successful their respective first-round wins complete Ian White and George Killington.

Elsewhere, nan Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has announced an hold to their broadcast statement pinch ITV until astatine slightest 2028. The woody will support a number of PDC events connected free-to-air TV, including nan Players Championship Finals.

The World Masters, UK Open, European Championship and World Series of Darts will besides beryllium broadcast connected ITV4 and ITVX. “We are delighted to proceed our long-standing narration pinch ITV, pinch nan caller woody group to return our business beyond 20 years,” said nan PDC main executive, Matt Porter.