Luke Littler expresses frustration after missing out on BBC Sports Personality awards
Luke Littler expressed his dissatisfaction on social media after leaving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony without any accolades last night, reports BritPanorama.
The 18-year-old darts sensation, who opted not to attend the high-profile event in Salford, took to Instagram to convey his sentiments following the broadcast.
Littler wrote: “Thanks to everyone who voted for me tonight, appreciate it. And for Young SPOTY, wow fair enough.” He was nominated for both the main award and the Young Sports Personality prize but lost the latter to England Lioness Michelle Agyemang, who had a standout performance during the team’s Euro 2025 victory.
His absence at the event surprised many, particularly given his incredible performance throughout the year. In January, Littler made history by winning the World Darts Championship at just 17 years and 347 days, becoming the youngest player to claim this prestigious title. He followed this success with five major tournament wins in 2025, further elevating his status as one of the sport’s leading stars.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Littler had anticipated a snub. When questioned ahead of the ceremony, he responded with a resigned “no” regarding his chances of winning. Rather than attending the ceremony, he chose to practice at The Sidac Social sports club in St Helens.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the evening’s main winner, Rory McIlroy, on Instagram, stating, “Well done @rorymcilroy never in doubt mate unreal year.” Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on defending his world title at Alexandra Palace, where he faces debutant David Davies on Sunday after a strong performance in his opening match against Darius Labanauskas.
In competitive sports, recognition often comes with its own challenges, illustrating a world where even prodigious talent struggles against public perception and institutional judgement. Littler’s journey is a reminder that passion and skill do not always translate into accolades, underscoring the complexity of achievement within the sporting arena.
