Luke Littler’s emergence has led to a host of new players taking up the sport (Image: Getty)
Business is booming for Glen Durrant – and it’s all thanks to The former victor and three-time BDO world champion is now a regular in the commentary box and got to witness the Nuke’s breathtaking first year as a professional unfold.
Away from his TV commitments, the player-turned-coach has also seen the impact of Littler’s phenomenal rise on the ground. The youngster’s profile has led to a wave of converts who aren’t just picking up a set of arrows and slinging them at the nearest board but seeking professional help to improve.
That’s where Durrant and his coaching business come in. “People all want to be Luke Littler now,” he says in an interview for Reach 2025
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“He’s changed my life, and that’s just one example. He might have changed your [the media’s] life because more people are looking at darts.
“He might have changed the lives of darts players because he’s putting the sport not just on the back pages but on the front pages too. He won Young Sports Personality of the Year! What he’s done for darts is incredible.”
Darts was already in a good place prior to Littler’s emergence at the 2024 World Championship. The 2023 final, which featured the greatest leg in the game’s history as Michael Smith thrillingly overcame attracted global interest, but Littler’s exploits have jet-propelled the sport’s growth.
“I remember driving from Middlesbrough to Ally Pally on Boxing Day [2023] and radio, sports radio stations were ringing me, asking for a conversation [about Littler]. It just went crazy,” recalls Durrant.
Glen Durrant retired after winning three BDO world titles and the PDC Premier League (Image: Getty)
Since the 2023/24 Worlds, ‘Duzza’ has been inundated with coaching requests – and they are only likely to increase as ‘Littlermania’ continues.
“It’s been incredible,” he says. “All sorts of people are coming to me, including people who start off by hitting my wall! I like those ones because, within two hours, I can see a difference.
“When I’m working with Ryan Joyce, a top 32 player, you’re looking at one per cent, two per cent [improvement]. You’re looking at things like mindset, preparation and nutrition.
“But there’s nothing better than when someone walks in [to begin coaching] with a fundamental flaw. You work with them over 12 months, with Zoom meetings to check their progress, and see them improve. I love it.”