LUKE LITTLER made a classy tribute to two retiring darts stars after winning his second World Darts Championship.
The teenage sensation became the fourth player to win the title back-to-back with his dominant victory over Gian van Veen.
Littler, 18, lost the first set before winning seven consecutively to pocket the £1million prize money.
He also won the Ballon d’Art award for hitting the most 180s (73) out of any player at the tournament.
Despite what could have been an overwhelming moment, he still paid tribute to MC John McDonald and caller George Noble.
During his interview with Sky Sports after the match, he said: It feels amazing.
“First of all, I’ve got to say thank you to John McDonald and George Noble – what fantastic careers they have had.”
The pair have retired from darts with McDonald, 65, hanging up his microphone and Noble, 57, leaving the oche.
Littler also continued to talk about other people as he then quoted boxing icon Anthony Joshua after paying respect to his friends who died in a recent car crash.
He added: “Everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his team, rest in peace to his friends.
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“Just like AJ said… the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice.”
Littler then spoke about the clash with Van Veen and insisted that the Dutchman can take pride in his effort in the tournament.
He said: “I wasn’t happy going into the break 1-0 down, but I had to kick on from there.
“I said just give it time, you’ll find it. It all came to plan. Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy for himself.”
Littler claimed the astonishing prize money and insisted that is “life-changing”.
The darts star also pointed to the fact that it increases his lead over Luke Humphries in being world no1.
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Luke Littler THRASHED Gian van Veen 7-1 to successfully defend his World Darts Championship title.
The teenage sensation becomes only the fourth player in history to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy after oche icons Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson.
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He said: “It is life-changing for anyone.
“Even the first round was doubled.
“It’s life-changing, this win has just increased that gap from Luke Humphries and I’m in the clear as world number one.”
Littler’s victory saw him follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Anderson by winning the tournament consecutively.
There was plenty of drama during the final against Van Veen despite the dominant result.
Littler was at one point attacked by the Ally Pally wasp mid throw as he was forced to swipe it away.
There was also a pause in the match as the board needed replacing after it has been smeared in blood.
