The world of professional darts was rocked to its core late on Tuesday night as former Masters champion Chris Dobey issued a startling confession, admitting to a clandestine affair with Faith Millar, the long-term partner of teenage sensation Luke Littler.
The revelation, which Dobey posted in a lengthy statement on social media before deleting his accounts, has sent shockwaves through a sport still basking in the glow of Littler’s meteoric rise to superstardom. The affair allegedly took place over several months, coming to a head during last month’s Belgian Open in Leuven.
In his since-deleted statement, Dobey, 34, expressed “profound shame and remorse,” confirming that a relationship with Millar, 21, had begun “inadvertently” and intensified during the European Tour event in Belgium.
“I have made a catastrophic error of judgment that has hurt people I care about deeply,” Dobey wrote. “What began as inappropriate friendship crossed a line it should never have crossed. I take full responsibility for my actions and the pain I have caused Luke, Faith, and our families. I am seeking professional help to understand why I self-destructed in this manner.”
The confession has thrown the narrative of the PDC calendar into disarray. Littler, 18, has been the defining figure in darts since his run to the World Championship final as a 16-year-old. Millar has been a constant, visible presence at his side throughout his rapid ascent, often celebrating with him on stage after major victories. The pair are widely regarded as one of the sport’s power couples.
Sources close to the Littler camp suggest the 18-year-old was “blindsided” by the revelation. “Luke is devastated,” a source told The Oche. “Chris was someone he looked up to. They practiced together. To find out this was happening behind his back, especially during a tournament where he was competing, is a betrayal of a magnitude he’s never experienced.”
The Belgian Open, held in late February, saw Dobey reach the quarter-finals, while Littler was eliminated in the semi-finals by world number one Luke Humphries. It is understood that the nature of the European Tour—a week-long event involving travel, hotel stays, and late nights away from home—provided the backdrop for the relationship to progress.
Fellow professionals have reacted with a mixture of shock and somber reflection. Former world champion Rob Cross, a close friend of Dobey’s, offered a brief comment: “I’m gutted for everyone involved. Chris is a mate, but my heart breaks for Luke. No one deserves that.”
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has so far declined to comment on what is a private matter, though the fallout is expected to dominate the build-up to next week’s Premier League night in Nottingham, where both Littler and Dobey are scheduled to compete.
For Dobey, a popular figure known for his affable demeanor and walk-on to “Mr. Brightside,” the confession marks a dramatic fall from grace. Having won the Masters in 2023, he has been a consistent member of the world’s elite but now faces an uncertain future amid widespread public backlash.
As news of the scandal broke, fans expressed fury on social media, with many directing their anger at Dobey for the perceived betrayal of one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Littler and Millar have yet to comment publicly. However, those close to the teenager say he is leaning on his family as he comes to terms with the double betrayal by two of the people closest to him.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense pressures that accompany life on the professional circuit, where the lines between camaraderie and catastrophe can sometimes blur—with devastating consequences for all involved.