'The Nuke' beat Luke Humphries 11-10 in a thrilling final at London's O2 Arena on Thursday (28.05.26) and tearfully admitted after his triumph that he contemplated pulling out of the tournament after being harshly treated by crowds following an incident with rival Gian van Veen in Manchester last month.

Littler told Sky Sports: "After Brighton and the incident in Manchester, I was sat at home saying to Faith [his partner] 'I don't want to do it any more, just the crowd every week.' I said to her, 'I'm down bad.'"

The 19-year-old arrows ace made a slow start to this year's Premier League campaign but was pleased with how he recovered to record his second victory in the event.

Two-time PDC World Champion Littler said: "It was a rollercoaster first four weeks, bottom of the table, but then the fifth night I won my first night. I had to pick myself up - some tough times.

"I think I had a 79 average in Brighton or something like that and it was tough. But I am here with the trophy."

Humphries paid tribute to Littler following the final and can understand the emotions because of the effort that goes into a gruelling Premier League Darts campaign.

The world number two said: "It is emotional, you have seen it from Luke there. You are playing in big finals and it shows how much it means to us as players.

"You are on the road for 16 or 17 weeks and I don't get the chance to take my family with me. You want that trophy in your hands.

"It was a great final, one of the best the Premier League has seen. I am proud that I made it a tough game."