Luke Littler reveals his dad did something 'he never does' after he lost World Championship final

Luke Littler's stunning World Darts Championship run came to an end as he lost 7-4 in the final to Luke Humphries - and he revealed how his family reacted afterwards.

The 16-year-old raced into a 4-2 lead over the new world number one, and had set darts to go 5-2 up.

But Littler did not win another set, with Humphries bouncing back to reduce the deficit to 4-3 before winning four straight sets to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time in his career.

Littler, though, kept up the pressure right until the end, and had darts to make it two legs to two in what proved to be the final set.

But 'Cool Hand Luke' was eventually too much for him - as he has been for every player on planet darts over the past six months.

Speaking to talkSPORT after the match, Littler did point to the set darts to go 5-2 up as a potential turning point, but couldn't be prouder of his own achievements.

He added that his family were proud too - and revealed his dad did something he has never done.

He explained: "100 per cent I'm proud. My family and friends are [proud].

"When I lost, my dad said to me, he was blowing kisses - he never does that!

"I know the support's there, the love's there."

Speaking to Sky Sports prior to the final taking place, Littler stated that his original goal was only to win his first round match against former Lakeside champion Christian Kist, which would enable him to return to Alexandra Palace after Christmas.

"On my debut, I was happy winning one game, but now I could go all the way," he told Sky's Emma Paton and Mark Webster.

"That was it. I heard rumours that Christian was struggling with an injury, but I just blocked that out and had a 106 [checkout] to win the game."

Littler is ranked number 31 in the world as a result of his progression to the final - 133 places higher than his pre-tournament standing.

Given he is not defending any prize money next season on the two-year Order of Merit, a stable set of results will see 'The Nuke' qualify as a seed for the 2025 World Championship after his first full year on the tour.