2026 World Darts Championship semi-final: Live score and set-by-set updates as Ryan Searle stands in the way of Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler reaching a third straight final as Gary Anderson comes up against new Dutch no.1 Gian van Veen

If Littler had not have had surgery when he was a child, he may not be the player he was today. You can read more about that below. A really interesting insight into somebody who, if he chooses to carry on, could be a feature of our sporting landscape for decades to come.

It’s mad to think that I’m 25 now and I might be what, 55, 60, 65, when he retires? Paul Lim was playing here when he was 71 – if Littler went that far, I’d be 78!

Concerned about the long-term impact of the condition, Littler’s parents Anthony and Lisa took him to Warrington Hospital for corrective surgery.