Manchester, UK – Football legend turned pundit Gary Neville has made an explosive entry into the world of professional darts, publicly aligning with darts star Stephen Bunting in demanding an official investigation into the meteoric rise of teenage sensation Luke Littler. The call, centred on the credibility of Littler’s remarkable winning streak, has sent shockwaves through the sport.
The controversy erupted following 17-year-old Littler’s latest tournament victory, which extended a run of form that has seen him bulldoze through established rankings since his stunning debut at the World Darts Championship. While many have celebrated the “Nuke” as a once-in-a-generation talent, whispers of scepticism have grown louder in some quarters of the professional circuit.
Those whispers were given a powerful megaphone when Stephen Bunting, the former BDO world champion and current top-20 PDC player, used a post-match interview to openly question the consistency and physicality of Littler’s performances. “The numbers don’t add up for someone that young, under that pressure,” Bunting stated. “It’s unprecedented. I’m not saying anything definitive, but the governing body needs to look at it. For the sport’s integrity.”
Now, Gary Neville has dramatically amplified the call. Speaking on his own podcast, The Overlap, the former Manchester United captain stated: “I’ve been watching this unfold like everyone else. It’s a phenomenal story. But when a seasoned professional like Stephen Bunting raises concerns, you have to listen. This isn’t about tearing a young lad down; it’s about protecting the sport and ensuring every victory is fair and square. The truth needs to come out, for Littler’s sake as much as anyone’s. The PDC has to investigate, transparently, and settle this.”
Neville’s involvement, given his profile and known stance on sporting integrity from his football career, has transformed an internal debate into a major public scandal. The mention of an “investigation” implicitly raises the spectre of foul play, though neither Bunting nor Neville has specified any particular allegation.
The PDC issued a brief statement in response: “The PDC upholds the highest standards of integrity and fairness. We monitor all player performance data as a matter of course. Luke Littler is an exceptional talent who has passed all standard protocols. We take any concern seriously, but we have no reason to open a specific investigation based on current evidence.”
Support for Littler has been fervent. Former world champion Michael van Gerwen called the allegations “sour grapes” and “nonsense,” while fans on social media have rallied behind the teenager, citing his extensive junior career and natural talent.
Luke Littler’s management team has declined to comment directly on Neville’s and Bunting’s remarks, but previously stated the teenager is “focused on his darts and proving himself on the board, as he always has.”
The pressure is now squarely on the PDC. With a high-profile figure like Neville demanding action, simply reiterating confidence may not be enough to quell the growing storm. The sport finds itself at a crossroads, forced to balance the celebration of a phenomenal prodigy with the urgent need to publicly safeguard its competitive credibility.