Darts sensation Luke Littler reveals he has received a message from David Beckham ahead of the World Darts Championship final… as he admits his family are still struggling to adjust to his rise to fame following Ally Pally's exploits

Luke Littler revealed he received text messages from David Beckham and Luke Shaw ahead of his World Cup final against Luke Humphries on Wednesday night.

The 16-year-old rose to fame with a fairytale run at Alexandra Palace over the past three weeks before losing 7-4 to the world number 1 in the final.

Littler led 4-2 with one dart to go, three sets clear, before Humphries pulled away and fired off five straight sets to capture his first world title.

The Warrington-born teenager's meteoric rise has seen him rub shoulders with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale and attend Tottenham's home win against Bournemouth this weekend.

But as a Manchester United fan, Littler admitted he could hardly believe Beckham and Shaw contacted him ahead of the final, while United youngster Kobbie Mainoo and former United player Jesse Lingard followed him on social media.

The former Manchester United number 7 wished Littler good luck ahead of the Darts World Cup final against Luke Humphries on Wednesday

Shaw also wished Littler, a Manchester United fan, the best of luck ahead of the final

“David Beckham says good luck,” he told Sky News' Mark Austin when asked what the best message he had received during the tournament was.

'Luke Shaw sent me a message saying: good luck. Received a follow (on social media) from the younger Kobbie Mainoo and of course former player Jesse Lingard.

“It's crazy to think they're watching me when I've been watching and following them for years.”

Littler entered the World Championship as an outsider at 66-1, but went into Wednesday's final as favorite after beating 2018 winner Rob Cross 6-2 in the semi-finals.

His performances at the Ally Pally have catapulted him onto the back pages of national newspapers and on morning TV shows in Britain.

While the oche teenager has shown a calmness that belies his young age, he admitted that he and his family are still struggling to adjust to his newfound fame.

Beckham's son Romeo (right) was at Alexandra Palace for the final

Littler lost 7-4 at Alexandra Palace to Luke Humphries after leading 4-2 and missing a huge chance to take the lead 5-2

The teenager was the youngest player to ever reach a final of the World Darts Championship

“It's just been a rollercoaster,” he said.

'I just wanted to win one match. From winning one match to coming back after Christmas. And reaching the final. They just can't believe it. Especially all the followers I get on social media.'

Littler's family and his manager were ever present at Alexandra Palace during his electrifying performance and the teenager paid tribute to them.

“My dad takes me everywhere and takes me around the country, even abroad,” he added.

'And then my mother is just there. She just cheers me up. My father too. (…) My manager is always there for me. So I just have a good group of people around me.'

Littler's girlfriend Eloise Milburn, 21, was also at every match and earlier on Thursday the 16-year-old told Sky News he would support her 'whether anyone likes it or not'.

Less than 24 hours after his defeat to Humphries, Littler was confirmed in the Premier League Darts line-up.

Littler thanked his family and girlfriend Eloise Milburn for their continued support

There was huge speculation over whether the teenager would be included in the 2024 event – ​​and whether he wanted to play in it – following his incredible performance at the World Championship and even after Humphries backed him to be included in the tournament.

The Premier League Darts kicks off in Cardiff on February 1, with the winner taking home £275,000 from the £1 million prize pool.

Speaking about his decision to join the Premier League, Littler, who broke into the world's top 32 after competing in the Ally Pally, said: “I sat down with my manager and my mum and dad said, 'Let's we just do it. because that may never happen again.”

World No. 1 Luke Humphries backed Littler to be included in the Premier League after the final

After the victory on Wednesday evening Humphries said he would enjoy meeting the teen again.

“I'm not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke (Littler) has been an incredible talent,” he told Sky Sports.

“Not just on the dartboard, he's been fantastic with all the media that's been created with him and he's taken the defeat so well. You'll never see a down-to-earth 16-year-old boy like him again who is just something different.

'I really hope he plays in the Premier League because if he doesn't want to play fair enough in it, I think it would be a pleasure to play with him this year. He's one of the best players in the world, there's no doubt about that.'