Luke Littler will come face to face with a player who used to beat his grandad Phil when he takes on Ian White in the third round of the World Championship.

This has been darts’ year of the underdog, from Ritchie Edhouse’s European Championship victory and Mike De Decker’s Grand Prix win to every part of Luke Littler’s astonishing ascendance. And that tendency for the unexpected has continued into the World Championship,

English teenage sensation Luke Littler has become arguably the biggest name in the world of darts, bursting onto the scene at the 2023/24 World Darts Championship at the age of just 16 and making it all the way to the final of the biggest competition the sport has to offer.

The 17-year-old began his quest to create history at Ally Pally and dethrone Luke Humphries after falling one short earlier this year

Ian White, of Runcorn, is looking to earn an upset against Luke 'The Nuke' Littler when the action returns at Alexandra Palace.

Luke Littler has opened up about his growing frustration at the World Darts Championship, though it stems from a positive place. The 17-year-old sensation, who reached the final last year, has been struggling to complete a nine-dart finish at Alexandra Palace.

Luke Littler will take on Ian White - who regularly used to beat his Grandad Phil in pubs in Runcorn - in his third round match at Alexandra Palace on Saturday