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 21:30 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

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

Littler takes advantage with two 140s and a high 130 to leave 82 for the set. Littler sets up a throw at double 20 and lands it!

The first set goes to the teenager in a hold of throw. Fantastic start to this match.

[30 December 2023 21:29 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

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

Littler keeps control of the leg to require 78. He hits 18 and double 20 to leave double 10 for the leg. He misses his first attempt but comes back and nails it.

The teenager is one leg away from winning the opening set.

[30 December 2023 21:27 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

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

Van Barneveld fights back and works his way quickly down to 80 with Littler still not on a finish. Barney leaves one dart at double 7 but misses it.

He has another trip to the oche though and takes just one throw to level the match.

[30 December 2023 21:25 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

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

Can Luke Littler put aside his feelings of meeting his idol at the Ally Pally and focus on the darts? A spot in the quarter-finals is on the line and the 16-year-old has the first throw.

180! There’s no nerves from the teenager but Barney responds with a maximum of his own.

Littler leaves 129 and scores 79 to leave 50 to win the opening leg. He goes 10, double 20 and takes it!

[30 December 2023 21:22 · Mike Jones]

Raymond van Barneveld vs Luke Littler

Luke Littler has a wide grin on his face as he makes his way to the stage for this last-16 tie. He gives him mum a big hug and seems determined to enjoy the occasion.

Raymond van Barneveld was his hero as a child but things are different now. Especially when the lights go out and the five-time world champion makes his way out to face you.

[30 December 2023 21:17 · Mike Jones]

Raymond van Barneveld vs Luke Littler

Up next is the match everyone has been hyping up. The five-time world champion, Raymond van Barneveld, takes on teenager Luke Littler.

Littler has been a delight in the tournament so far but faces his trickiest task tonight. How will it go?

[30 December 2023 21:14 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Brendan Dolan gave his reaction to winning the match saying: “When you’re on double 3 you wonder what to do and I thought just go for it. I went for it and hit it. Wow, that was some game.

“It was so tough, I mentally collapsed at two sets up and I fell into the trap that he wasn’t at it. Next thing he’s ahead of me. I got it back to three-all and thought it’s in the lap of the gods.

“The crowd wasn’t with me tonight and I expect them not to be with me in the next one [when he faces either Raymond van Barneveld or Luke Littler].”

[30 December 2023 21:08 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Brendan Dolan 4-3 Gary Anderson

What a fantastic match. It went right down to the wire after Dolan’s rapid start. Anderson fought back to take the lead but Dolan clinched the final two sets to make it into the quarter-finals.

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[30 December 2023 21:05 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Brendan Dolan 4-3 Gary Anderson

What drama!

Brendan Dolan has two darts at winning the match but misses double 12 and then double 6. Anderson should tidy up with three darts at double 5.

He misses them all!

Dolan, with double 3 left, comes back to the oche. He hits with his first effort and he takes out Gary Anderson!

[30 December 2023 21:02 · Mike Jones]

World Darts Championship LIVE

Brendan Dolan 3-3 (2-1) Gary Anderson

Anderson has the chance to steal the darts off Dolan who must finish off 144 to take the leg. He nails treble 20 twice but slides wide of double 12!

Anderson makes a mess of 11 and Dolan spanks double 12 to go back ahead.