BOBBY GEORGE is backing “crowd-puller” Luke Littler to be competitive against the Premier League elite.
But the oche’s King of Bling fears the 16-year-old will end up feeling shattered because the Prem is such a gruelling competition.
GettyBobby George has fired a warning to 16-year-old Luke Littler[/caption]
GettyThe darts prodigy is set to make his Premier League debut in February[/caption]
George, 78, loved every minute of last Wednesday’s PDC World Darts Championship final as Luke Humphries came from 4-2 down to beat Littler 7-4 for the £500,000 top prize.
As reward for his phenomenal performances at Ally Pally, rookie Littler was handed a spot in the £1million eight-player Prem, starting in Cardiff on February 1.
George knows what it takes to entertain the masses, given he used to walk-on in a crown, cloak, candelabra and dripping with gold jewellery.
He told SunSport: “Luke will do well, especially if he plays like he played in that final. That young man has a lot of bottle.
“Big Luke won 25 legs in the game. Little Luke, the boy, won 23. That’s how close it was.
“It was one of the best finals I’ve ever seen. I enjoyed it more than any other World Championship final.
“The crowd will be on his side in the Premier League. The PDC are not silly. He’s going to be a crowd-puller.
“He has got to do what he’s been doing. Don’t change anything. I like the fact he can count very good on the dartboard.”
GettyGeorge is backing Littler to be competitive in the Premier League[/caption]
Every Thursday between February 1 and May 23, Littler will battle Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Rob Cross.
Warrington’s Littler will bank at least £60,000 for taking part while the overall winner takes home a minimum of £275,000.
Littler, who is 17 on January 21, has allayed fears of burnout after a chat with his family.
But George, twice a BDO Lakeside world finalist, warned: “He’s going to have a bit of a shock. He has a lot of travelling and timekeeping to do.
“He’ll be worn out. He won’t be home very much. He’s young. He has a commitment and he has got to do it. But he has a good family behind him.”
George, one of the top darts stars in the 1970s and 1980s, then became a successful presenter and pundit.
His next appearance in front of the cameras will be with old mucker Ray Stubbs for Phil Taylor’s swansong at next month’s World Seniors Championship at Circus Tavern.
George has learned to deal with the trappings of fame and has one final piece of advice for Luke the Nuke.
GettyLittler’s fairytale PDC World Darts Championship ended with defeat in the final[/caption]
He said: “Everywhere I go, people say: ‘Hi Bobby.’
“People talk to me like I’m a friend because I’ve been on television.
“I’d say to that young man if anyone asks for his autograph or selfie, don’t say ‘no’.
“I always say, I’ll do it. Lovely. Give us a kiss — and that’s just the men!
“I’ve seen a lot of pop stars, good darts players and footballers who say I’m busy at the moment. Don’t do that. It’s the people that make you.”
l Bobby George will be on TV during the Jennings Bet World Seniors Darts Championship, which is live on BBC red button, iPlayer and digital services.
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