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Luke Littler will kick off his PDC World Darts Championship campaign against fellow Englishman Ryan Meikle.

Meikle overcame women's megastar Fallon Sherrock 3-2 in the first round to deny what would have been an incredibly high-profile second round bout.

Meikle was met with a hostile atmosphere but managed to overcome Sherrock in a close fight
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Meikle was met with a hไostile atmosphere but managed to overcome ꦺSherrock in a close fightCredit: Getty

Meikle, the Ipswich-born world no.62, beat the 'Queen of the Palace' in a tight match after dealing with early boos due to her much-loved status.

That means h🅠e will face 17-year-old sensation Littler on Saturday December 21 in the second round at Alexandra Palace.

Littler is yet to play at the tournament as his world no.4 status earns him a ��buy ꦫinto the second round among the 32 top-ranked players.

The match is scheduled to take place at 7pm, where Littler will look to go alꦦl the way to the final once again.

read more on luke littler

In last year's edition he stunned the world at the age of 16, becoming the youngest-ever player to reach the final.

There he lost 7-4 to world no.1 Luke Humphries, but his star did not fade in the slightest.

Littler would prove his debut that fascinated the UK and Europe was anything but♏ flash in the pan with a stellar 2024.

He would win three PDC premier events - the Grand Slam, the Premier League and the Wor▨ld Series Finals.

Along the way he's pocketed close to £1million in prize money and become a household name in the UK in record time.

The Palace will welcome back the new 'face of darts' on Saturday, and his match will be broadcast live on talkSPORT.

Littler will be back on stage where he first made his name
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Littler will be back on stage where ﷽he first madeไ his nameCredit: Getty

Should Littler progress against Meik🎀le, he could then meet his first seeded opponent in the shape of Ritchie Edhouse in the third round.

Littler may not have been completely aware of tꦕhe match, though, given that he was present for 🅺the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

The darts sensation jus🍸t missed out on another award, finishing second beไhind athlete Keely Hodgkinson.

Hodgkinson took gold at the Paris Olꦅympics in the 800metres having won silver at two World Championships and the last Olympics.

Behind Littler was England cricketer Joe Root in third. Sarah Storey, Alex ℱYee and Jude 🦂Bellingham were also shortlisted for the award.

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