Luke Littler reveals he'll star alongside Freddie Flintoff on iconic ITV reboot

Darts sensation Luke Littler volition look arsenic a peculiar impermanent connected a Christmas peculiar of Bullseye, which is being rebooted by ITV with Freddie Flintoff arsenic the presenter

Luke Littler has confirmed that he volition appear connected the caller mentation of iconic darts crippled amusement Bullseye.

Littler volition beryllium a peculiar impermanent connected the amusement erstwhile it is broadcast connected ITV astir Christmas. It will beryllium hosted by Freddie Flintoff, who volition capable the shoes of comedian Jim Bowen, who presented the programme from 1981 to 1995.

A Bullseye Christmas Special is successful the works, with ITV bosses banking connected the resurgence successful the popularity of darts. That has been partially inspired by Littler, who has enjoyed a singular emergence this twelvemonth since reaching the last of the World Championship successful January.

The 17-year-old from Warrington caught the nation’s attraction astatine Alexandra Palace and has since cemented his spot astatine the apical of the athletics by winning the World Series finals and Players Championship 20. His illustration has continued to turn and helium present has 1.3 cardinal followers connected Instagram, wherever helium shared the Bullseye quality connected Monday evening.

It is not yet known what format the reboot of Bullseye volition take, but Littler is definite to get a accidental to amusement disconnected his talents. Darts players were regular guests connected the archetypal show, tasked with scoring arsenic galore points arsenic imaginable to triumph wealth for charities.

Littler was not adjacent calved erstwhile Bullseye was connected our screens, but astatine its tallness the amusement attracted 20 cardinal viewers. ITV anticipation that the operation of Flintoff and Littler tin marque it a occurrence again.

It volition beryllium 1 of Flintoff’s archetypal TV amusement appearances since helium astir mislaid his life during a fearfulness crash portion filming for Top Gear successful December 2022. The 46-year-old has returned to cricket, taking up coaching roles with England and the Northern Superchargers, arsenic good arsenic appearing connected Field of Dreams – a BBC documentary astir inspiring young cricketers from his hometown of Preston.

"I emotion the darts and Bullseye was 1 of my favourite shows arsenic a kid," Flintoff said. "I can’t rather judge I’ll get to big this Christmas special.” He past added 1 of Bowen’s celebrated catchphrases: "You can't bushed a spot of Bully!"

Littler’s quality volition spot him travel successful the footsteps of darts legends Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson, John Lowe, Mike Gregory, Bob Anderson and Kevin Painter connected the show. It volition besides accelerate his determination into the mainstream arsenic a sports star.

The youngster, known arsenic “The Nuke”, has earned much than £625,000 successful prize wealth since making his breakthrough astatine Ally Pally. He has been thrust into the spotlight of personage and is presently ranked No.20 successful the world, with Luke Humphries – the antheral who bushed him successful the World Championship last – sitting successful apical spot.