Luke Littler sends message to new girlfriend after banking £200k in World Matchplay win

Luke Littler sent a message to his new girlfriend after dispatching James Wade in the World Matchplay final on Sunday evening. The 18-year-old banked £200,000 for his efforts after overcoming Wade 18-13 in Blackpool.

Littler reached the final of the event after defeating Ryan Searle, Jermaine Wattimena, Andrew Gilding and Josh Rock in the earlier rounds. After thrashing Searle 10-2, he had to dig deep in his next three matches as he held his nerve on every occasion. And he was duly rewarded when he turned it on against Wade after fighting back from 5-0 down to become the youngest ever World Matchday champion.

After winning the contest, Littler was told by Sky Sports reporter Polly James that his fans had just been given a glimpse of his parents and girlfriend on the big screen.

And the teenager explained: "I am just so happy, I think they had been a bit nervous this past week and I have definitely put them through it in training and in games. But I am very happy to spend a long 10 days in Blackpool and I have come through victorious."

Littler is currently dating 19-year-old beautician Faith Millar, with the couple sharing a kiss ahead of the star's quarter-final showdown with Gilding. The pair were first spotted together in May, with sources at the time claiming they were just friends.

They have clearly grown closer since the spring, with Millar travelling to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to watch her partner in action this week.

During his chat with Sky, Littler was told that his mum had jokingly claimed she had almost suffered a heart attack earlier in the tournament.

And the youngster, who hit a nine-darter during his last-four clash with Rock, explained: "This week, yeah, probably against Jermaine Wattimena. But once again I have pulled myself out of these scorelines I am trailing by and getting myself back in the game, finding the 180s, and yeah it has been a good 10 days."

He then added: "At 5-0 down once again I said to myself, 'You've been here before, what are you doing?' I think James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts.

"There's been a few times in the past where I've got myself back into the game but the past week has really shown me as a player that I can come back from 5-0 down or from 7-3 down.

"I came here last year and lost in the first round. Some people might have thought I might lose again, but I pulled myself out and got these opportunities and I don't want to be 5-0 down again.

"Since I started, I always said to myself, as long as I win one of every major then I'll be happy. I've only got a few left to tick off but I'll chase the majors I haven't won yet."