In an explosive interview that has sent shockwaves through the world of professional darts, speedster Ricky Evans has lifted the lid on a secret incident involving teenage sensation Luke Littler and senior PDC officials. Evans claims he witnessed the 17-year-old prodigy engaged in what he describes as a “blatant bribery attempt” backstage at a recent Players Championship event.
Speaking exclusively to The Oche Gazette, the ever-animated Evans, known for his rapid-fire throwing style, was uncharacteristically serious as he recounted the scene. “It was surreal, absolutely surreal,” Evans stated, shaking his head. “I was walking past the officials’ dressing room, and the door was slightly ajar. I saw Luke, the kid, sitting there with an envelope!”
The story has divided the darts world. While some have dismissed it as a misunderstanding, Evans is adamant about what he witnessed.
“The Notes Were in Plain Sight”
According to Evans, the World Youth Champion was not trying to influence the outcome of a match but was instead attempting to secure a slot on the practice boards for a specific time slot—a premium asset for players wanting to warm up before big games.
“I saw him sliding a bunch of notes—I’m talking ten-pound notes, maybe a twenty—across the table to one of the tournament directors,” Evans continued. “I thought, ‘No, this can’t be happening.’ This is a kid who has been hailed as the savior of our sport, and here he is paying off officials?”
However, Evans admits that the situation quickly became farcical when he realized what was actually happening. “Littler was just trying to convince the official to let him use Board 3 specifically because he likes the lighting there. He was waving the money, saying, ‘Please, I’ll pay double the standard booking fee!'”
PDC officials have since clarified that there is, in fact, a small administrative fee for reserving specific practice areas, though this has been denied by several anonymous sources within the organization .
“It wasn’t some scandalous cover-up,” Evans explained, his trademark grin returning. “It was just a kid who is so used to being in control that he thinks he can get the board he wants by waving a few quid around. The official just took the money, laughed, and pointed him to Board 7 anyway. I nearly wet myself laughing.”
Mixed Reactions from the Paddock
The reaction to the story has been one of disbelief, though the competitive landscape is already turbulent. This alleged incident emerges as the sport grapples with other serious regulatory issues .
Other players have weighed in on the “bribe.” While Evans found the situation humorous, he warned that appearances can be damaging.
“Look, Luke is a great kid, a phenomenal talent. But he needs to understand that you can’t just throw money at things to get your way,” Evans mused. “In this sport, we play for the love of it… and the prize money. But mostly for the love of it.”
As for Littler, he has yet to comment publicly on the allegations, but sources suggest he is currently more concerned with finding a quiet corner to eat his pre-match meal than with the controversy surrounding his “bribery” attempt.
For now, the incident remains a hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdote in the usually straight-laced world of professional darts.