Luke Littler intended to celebrate turning 17 by taking his family out for a meal.
The teenager, who took the world by storm with his run to the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace earlier this month, is back in the UK after winning the Bahrain Masters on Friday.
It was a whirlwind visit to the Middle East as he hit a nine-dart finish on his way to winning a first senior PDC title, earning him a £20,000 payday.
LUKE LITTLER HITS A NINE-DARTER! ?
More history from the 16-year-old sensation!!! ? pic.twitter.com/o23C5P6AqL
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 19, 2024
He then attended the Misfits Boxing on Saturday night and was pictured with celebrity KSI before planning some family time on Sunday.
Littler, who is now old enough to drive, revealed after his win in Bahrain that he would treat his family on his special day, saying: “On Sunday, we’ll all go out as a family for a meal, and even though it’s my birthday, I’ll treat them.”
He will not need to splash out on dessert, though, as his local bakery in Warrington provided him with a lavish cake to mark his special day.
There will not be much time for rest as the teenager heads out to the Netherlands for the Dutch Darts Masters this week before the Premier League kicks-off in Cardiff on February 1.
It will be the start of a gruelling schedule for Littler, who is determined to make the most of every opportunity he gets on what will be a breakout year on the PDC Tour.
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He is also in high demand on the celebrity circuit, having met a host of footballers and reality stars over the past few weeks.
And Michael van Gerwen, who was beaten by Littler in the final in Bahrain, had warned about exploiting the teenager too much.
“Everyone says he’s the new kid, but everyone knows what he is capable of,” the Dutchman said after the Bahrain final. “The crowd, the television, everyone wants to make him bigger, but he’s already a good player.
“I know we all want to push him, but let him grow, let him do other things. You have to learn, the crowd has to learn and everyone who is involved in television has to learn. Don’t push him too much.
“Of course we know he’s a good player, but give him his time and after, he will come, no problems.”
By Jonathan Veal, PA
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