Luke Littler expressed his disappointment after leaving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event without any accolades. The young darts prodigy chose to skip the glamorous ceremony in Salford, believing he had slim chances of winning the top prize.
Despite tipping Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris as his favorite, Littler was surpassed by golfer Rory McIlroy, with women’s rugby star Ellie Kildunne securing the second spot. At 18, Littler, who clinched his first World Championship earlier in 2025, was also in the running for Young Sports Personality of the Year, where he was narrowly edged out by England Lioness Michelle Agyemang.
During the event, Littler made a virtual appearance and later posted a brief message on social media, thanking his supporters for the votes and acknowledging the outcome of the Young SPOTY category. In a subsequent post, he congratulated McIlroy for his achievement, praising his remarkable year.
Amid his ongoing world title defense at Alexandra Palace, Littler confirmed that he opted out of attending the ceremony to focus on his game. He emphasized his commitment to improving in the sport and engaging more fans in darts. Meanwhile, McIlroy’s win marked a historic moment as only the third golfer to receive the prestigious award, following Nick Faldo in 1989, after a stellar 2025 season highlighted by securing the Grand Slam and contributing to Europe’s Ryder Cup victory on U.S. soil.
In his acceptance speech, McIlroy expressed gratitude to his fellow finalists and reflected on his exceptional year, acknowledging the support of his family and expressing love for his wife and daughter. This victory capped off a memorable year for the golfer, filled with significant achievements and personal milestones.