World Darts Championship LIVE: Latest updates as Luke Littler demolishes Raymond van Barneveld in last-16

The 56-year-old Dutchman crashed out as the 16-year-old Englishman won 4-1

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler admits he has ‘nothing to lose’ in historic run

Teenage sensation Luke Littler continued his historic World Darts Championship journey by downing hero Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.

The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace tournament alight on debut and is the youngest player ever to reach the last eight after a stunning 4-1 win. He showed maturity and talent way beyond his tender years to get past the five-time world champion, who he used to imitate in front of the television as a three-year-old.

Luke Humphries then clinched a classic that came down to a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen. Both men had darts at winning the match but it has the world number three who managed to get through to the quarter-finals.

Brendan Dolan also beat his second former world champion in three days when he ousted Gary Anderson 4-3. The Northern Irishman, who dumped out Gerwyn Price in the third round, was heading out as Anderson rallied from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 but he fought back to claim the final two sets and reach the last eight.

Relive all the action from the World Darts Championship below:

World Darts Championship LIVE: Raymond van Barneveld in action against Luke Littler

• Saturday’s evening session sees Raymond van Barneveld take on Luke Littler with Luke Humphries also in action
• Brendan Dolan clinches thriller against Gary Anderson 4-3
• Raymond van Barneveld hammered 4-1 by superb Luke Littler
• Luke Humphries edges classic 4-3 in sudden death leg against Joe Cullen

[30 December 2023 22:17 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-4 Luke Littler

“Unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.” said Littler after the match, “I went 2-0 up, then 3-0 and said to my family I’m three legs away.

“[Barney] said ‘you can go all the way, and I hope you go all the way’. I fancy myself but lets just focus on Brendan [Dolan who he faces in the next round].

“After I do the media, I’ll go see my family and just chill out now.”

[30 December 2023 22:14 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-4 Luke Littler

134, 134, 63 leaves Littler with 170 to beat Van Barneveld. He then nails treble 20, hits it again and then hits double 10.

There’s 30 left for the teenager with Van Barneveld nowhere near. Littler has three darts but needs one to take out double 15!

Raymond van Barneveld has been blown away by Luke Littler. That is a spectacular display of darts from the 16-year-old who progresses into the quarter-finals.

[30 December 2023 22:11 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 (2-2) Luke Littler

Barney seems to have honed in on the treble 20s now and leaves 81 after nine darts. He takes 56 and leaves 25 though Littler isn’t on a finish.

Barney hits 9 then double 8 to force Littler to throw for the win.

[30 December 2023 22:10 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 (1-2) Luke Littler

140, 180, 140 for Littler leaves him with 47 to hold throw for a second time. He does and takes another 11 dart leg to move within one of the match.

[30 December 2023 22:09 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 (1-1) Luke Littler

Van Barneveld isn’t going away though. His main focus is to hold his throw here and he absolutely does with a double 6 hit on his last throw.

Littler needs to be patient.

[30 December 2023 22:07 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 (0-1) Luke Littler

The action continues and Littler needs to be careful. The advantage is with him in this set but he needs to make sure he can hold his throw.

Another 180 will help!

Littler leaves 124, and scores 84 for the set up on double 20. He misses it but comes down to nail double 10.

[30 December 2023 22:02 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 (0-0) Luke Littler

Boom! Raymond van Barneveld takes the set with some fantastic scoring but Littler had the chance to close out 128 which he didn’t take.

Barney is on the board but he’s right up against it as Littler has the darts in the fifth set.

[30 December 2023 22:00 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 0-3 (2-2) Luke Littler

Littler has six darts from 148 to win the leg but only manages to score 56 leaving 92. Littler slips into the 5 but responds with a treble 17.

He goes wide of double 18 and Barney can’t respond. Littler forces a deciding leg on his next visit. Can he break Barney to win the match?

[30 December 2023 21:58 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 0-3 (2-1) Luke Littler

Littler leaves 170 and almost takes it out. He hits both treble 20s but just misses the bullseye. With 25 left, Littler fails to take it out and Barney fights back to hold onto his throw.

It took him 18 darts to win the leg and Littler missed three to win it.

[30 December 2023 21:56 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 0-3 (1-1) Luke Littler

Littler’s response to Barney winning the first leg is to leave himself 90 for the finish. He hits treble 20 and then double 15 with two darts to draw back level.