Darts champion Luke Littler has hired a celebrity bodyguard who protected Thierry Henry and Peter Crouch to protect him from excitable fans.
Luke ‘the Nuke’ Littler made history when he became the sport’s youngest ever champion at the age of just 17 at Alexandra Palace.
Since then, he started life as a world champion with a hard-fought win at the Bahrain Masters on Thursday before losing to Gerwyn Prince the following day.
However, for the teenage sensation it appears darts is not the only pressing issue on his mind.
According to the Mirror, Littler’s management has employed Peter Purkins to protect him, with a source saying: ‘Luke is now one of the most recognisable faces in the country and has a lot of new fans.
‘Sometimes people can be a little overzealous when they see him, so it’s sensible to have someone alongside him who can step in to help if needed.’
Purkins is said to have worked on security teams at professional darts events in the UK and Europe.
He has also provided his services at football matches alongside players-turned-pundits such as Thierry Henry and Peter Crouch.
On Thursday, Littler was surprised in Bahrain by darts stars and his family with a birthday cake and celebrations the week before he turns 18.
The teenage sensation has taken the sport by storm, reaching the World Darts Championship final on debut last year at 16 before a breakout year culminating in being crowed world champion.
As shared on social media by Littler’s dad, Anthony, some of his fellow stars seemed to surprise him on a night out in the country prior to the tournament kicking off, with Littler looking shocked as a birthday cake came out to music.
The likes of Bunting and Nathan Aspinall were spotted in attendance, as well as Littler’s mum, Lisa, with someone dressed in a bull costume delivering the cake, which read ‘Happy Birthday Luke’ and had a picture of him lifting the World Championship on.
Anthony wrote: ‘Class night last night’ on Instagram, accompanied by a cake emoji, and tagged the Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant in Adliya Manama, Bahrain.
Littler was seen on his phone at the start of the video as traditional happy birthday music started playing and staff began to play instruments.
The teenager caught the eye of the camera, soon catching onto what was heading his way.
The giant bull then emerged, carrying the cake to the table as Littler moved his charger out the way and those in attendance clapped along to the music.
Littler then began to laugh and appeared to smile for the video, with the likes of Aspinall and Rob Cross – who was seen in conversation with Lisa – chipping in.
There appeared to be alcohol on the table, but Littler took a sip of coke before blowing out the three candles on the cake with 50 Cent’s ‘In Da Club’ playing in the background.
Those in attendance cheered, and a couple of the party appeared to call for him to drink a jagerbomb, with Littler shouting: ‘No, no, no!’. Littler turns 18 on January 21.