More than a million pounds in prize money; 10 major tournament wins; four perfect nine-dart finishes; the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year. Luke Littler’s 2024 was a fairy tale, but he would still have traded all that for the big one that got away.

Luke Littler turned down the chance to practice with Stephen Bunting ahead of the World Darts Championship, preferring to stick to his own routine. Littler and Bunting meet in the Alexandra Palace semi-finals on Thursday night after the Nuke beat Nathan Aspinall and the Bullet downed Peter Wright on Wednesday evening.

The teenage phenom set up a semi-final against Stephen Bunting with victory over Nathan Aspinall at Ally Pally

Teenage star Luke Littler has reached the final at the world darts championship — again. Still just 17, Littler routed Stephen Bunting 6-1 on Thursday to give himself another shot at the title, one year after his unlikely run brought waves of new fans to the sport.

World Darts Championship live updates, results, start time, order of play and scores from Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting plus Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey

The eight-player line-up has been confirmed and there have been four wildcard slots dished out by PDC organisers

Luke Littler to defend title as Stephen Bunting among wildcard picks ► Subscribe to Sky Sports News: ► Watch Sky Sports: Stephen Bunting earns one of four wildcard slots to join world champion and reigning Premier League champion Luke Littler in star-studded field;

The Nuke’ will defend his title after starting the year as world champion following a win over Michael Van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace