LUKE LITTLER warned there will be No More Mr Nice Guy in his World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen.
The teen sensation takes on the Dutch legend TONIGHT at Ally Pally with the world title on the line.
Littler booked his place in the showpiece match by beating Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting – two of his close friends on the circuit.
And the games were full of mutual respect, fist bumps and hand shakes – even drawing criticism from commentator Mark Webster.
But Littler said that will change by the time he faces three-time world champ Van Gerwen.
He said: “Obviously, if we win a set, we are not going to fistbump each other. But that’s what I did with Stephen and Nathan.
“We are good friends. The first set was close. I went 2-0 up, all of a sudden it’s 2-2.
“I had to hold throw, which I did. But yeah, I am so glad I went 4-0 up and I settled really well.”
“Me and Nathan after a set, we gave each other a fistbump. Me and Stephen did the same.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D101377%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]“When I went into the 4-0 lead I didn’t think he would do it again, then he won the set and I had to do it to him.
“Me and Nathan and me and Stephen are really good mates. When we win a set, we do what we do.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Luke Littler sweeps aside Stephen Bunting to set up mouthwatering Michael van Gerwen clash in World Championship final” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366634208112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“But as soon as the referee says ‘game on’ that is when it is game on.”
Littler burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old prodigy in last year’s tournament but lost in the final to Luke Humphries.
And Van Gerwen – who beat Chris Dobey 6-1 in his semi-final – vowed to inflict another painful defeat on Britain’s superstar.
He said: “Luke’s had a sniff [of the title]. I’m going to make sure he keeps by a sniff as well.
“He’s got years! I think with his capability I will be surprised if he doesn’t beat it.
“But I don’t look at stats. People say ‘are you going to beat Phil Taylor’s stats’. I don’t care.
“It’s about what you do now and whoever is in your path, you face it.”
[boxout headline=”World Darts Championship – top stories” featured-image=”32546192″ intro=”READ MORE on all the fall-out from Luke Littler’s incredible world title win…”]- Littler blows away Van Gerwen to win world title aged 17
- Littler is more than a darts player – he’s a multi-million pound commodity
- Incredible rise in darts viewing figures revealed
- Littler miles off being world No 1 despite £500k win
- Littler breaks incredible record with stunning win
- Fans praise Sky Sports for ‘lovely’ Donna Mardle touch
- Fans in tears as Chris Hoy presents Ballon d’Art trophy
- Van Gerwen makes another X-rated comment on live TV
- Littler reveals unusual preparation for final
- Inside wild celebrations at Littler’s darts academy
- How Littler celebrated incredible win – as tributes pour in
- Littler copies iconic Lionel Messi trophy picture