WHIZKID Luke Littler realised he had become a worldwide phenomenon when he saw he was trending on social media above Kylian Mbappe.
Warrington’s 16-year-old sensation — now back home for Christmas after his Ally Pally heroics — has barely had time to check the hundreds of messages and notifications on his phone.
As he tucked into his kebab after beating Christian Kist in the first round, he had a quick glance at X and saw he was getting more traction than one of France’s World Cup winners.
Speaking after his second-round win over No 20 seed Andrew Gilding, Littler said: “It has been unbelievable. When I went on Twitter, I was No 1 trending. And then No 2 was Kylian Mbappe! It’s crazy. Mbappe and me!
“What I did on Wednesday was unbelievable. What I have done against Andrew was OK.
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“I’m glad I got the win again. I haven’t really replied to anyone yet.
“I have my Snapchat account with all my friends on it. Then there is Messenger and Instagram. There will be even more messages on there now.
“This time last Christmas, I was at home, playing on my Xbox. And I was watching the darts. Now, I’m coming back after Christmas to play in the tournament.”
So much has been made of the fact that Littler does not look his age.
There have been references and GIFs made to that famous jokey work-experience scene of an old-looking 16-year-old in The Inbetweeners.
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After his debut performance — in which he set a tournament high average of 106.12 — 900 of his customised Target Darts cases were bought by punters.
Some kids will wake up on Christmas Day and unwrap presents that are emblazed with Luke the Nuke. Littler said: “With what I’m doing, hopefully I’m inspiring teenagers like myself to pick some darts up and try their best to get on the board.
“I’m think I’m really mature for my age. I just do what I do, which is practice.
“I put my headphones on before a game. When I go home, I just go on my Xbox. I’m not one of the lads who goes out on the streets. I’m not into that.
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“Now I have a Tour Card, I have got to be professional on January 1.
“When you are walking up to the oche and people are asking for my autograph, it’s unbelievable. I do remember when I was about 11 years old, scribbling different signatures on bits of paper. To practise my signature.”
After banking a minimum of £25,000 in prize money, Littler is running out of time to do Xmas present shopping because, as of Thursday night, he had not started yet.
Littler was supported in North London by his taxi driver dad Anthony, manager Martin Foulds and pal Eloise, who was wearing his replica shirt.
Mum Lisa was working late in a Yankee Candle shop but managed to get home in time to watch his latest tungsten triumph on TV.
Littler said: “My mum is always a nervous wreck. She does watch but she feels loads of pressure.
“She works in retail. It’s Christmas time and loads of people are hunting for candles. I hope after Christmas she can get at least one day off.
“My mum has been in a few taxis in Warrington where the driver’s gone: ‘Are you the dart mum?’”
So many pundits and players are tipping Littler to go all the way, including the legendary Phil Taylor.
Paddy Power are offering odds of 10-1 that he will be world champion next month.
And he will certainly be expected to beat Matt Campbell, 34, of Canada in the third round.
Littler replied: “I know I have got the game to go all the way. But I have to stay consistent all the time. I know my game is there and I can beat a lot of people on my day.”
