Luke Littler has provided an update following his absence from the second-to-last Players Championship event of 2025 earlier today.
The 18-year-old, expected to compete in PC33 at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Wednesday, revealed on Instagram at 11:06 am that he could not make it due to traffic delays. Missing the 11 am registration deadline resulted in him forfeiting his spot for the event.
Later in the day at 1:45 pm, ‘The Nuke’ shared that he opted to grab Chinese food at a restaurant while his competitors, including Luke Humphries, were on stage.
Hours later, Littler explained his tardiness to the Players Championship event scheduled to start at 1 pm, linking to a tragic road incident that occurred on the M6 in Wigan. Expressing condolences for the situation, he acknowledged missing the registration deadline but emphasized the loss of life.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, responded to the incident on the M6 between the Bryn Interchange and Orrell/M58 junction at around 10:15 am, as reported by Wigan Today.
Although not participating in PC33, Littler secured a spot at the £600,000 Players Championship finals in Minehead next month, ensuring his presence despite concerns about his qualification due to a recent drop in rankings.
His victory at PC32, where he defeated several opponents to claim a £15,000 prize, solidified his place in the finals. Following his win, Littler dismissed social media critics who doubted his abilities, emphasizing his success.
Recently crowned World Grand Prix champion, Littler faced a setback at the European Championship in Dortmund, losing to Wade. Despite this, his recent achievements have positioned him as a strong contender in the darts world.