Teenage darts star Luke Littler makes shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Teenager Luke Littler has made it onto the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, along with Keely Hodgkinson and Jude Bellingham.
Monday 9 December 2024 12:15, UK
Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is in the running for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 17-year-old has become one of the most talked-about teenagers in the UK, making headlines as the youngest player to reach the PDC World Championship final in January.
He lost out to Luke Humphries that day, but has gone on to claim the Premier League title and win the Grand Slam of Darts.
His achievements have been fuelled by his love for kebabs and ham and cheese omelettes, which became a mainstay of his routine during the championship in January.
Joining Littler on the six-person shortlist is Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who is considered the favourite after winning 800 metres gold in Paris this summer.
She also took European Championships gold, while her new British record of one minute 54.61 seconds made her the sixth-fastest woman ever over the distance.
If Hodgkinson wins, it would be the first time a female athlete has won the award four years in a row - with Mary Earps, Beth Mead and Emma Raducanu the last three winners.
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England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, starred for Real Madrid during his first season with the Spanish giants, helping them win their domestic and Champions League titles.
He also finished third in the Ballon d'Or standings - the first English player to make the top three since 2005 - and helped England reach the final of the European Championship.
Olympic gold medallist Alex Yee, Paralympic record-breaker Dame Sarah Storey and England cricketer Joe Root complete the six-person shortlist.