In just a short time as a professional, Luke Littler has had an everlasting impact on the sport of darts, and World Cup champion John Henderson has made his thoughts known
Darts star John Henderson has lauded the impact of Luke Littler as he prepares to take on social media stars in a popular influencer event. The fan-favourite Scotsman fell out of the PDC’s ranks in 2024, having graced the Premier League in his hometown of Aberdeen to the chorus of bagpipes and partnered Peter Wright to World Cup glory.
After losing his Tour Card, Henderson sought match practice on the MODUS Super Series and hasn’t looked back. MODUS has been home to many a budding professional in its time, and none have climbed higher than The Nuke, who won back-to-back Super Series titles in 2023.
Now, with Littler having inspired not only a younger generation, but also thrust the sport into such limelight that influencers have started to produce darts content, Henderson will once again partner with a social media star at the oche and credits the teenage sensation for the game’s growth.
“If somebody would have said I would be playing influencers 10 years ago, I’d have laughed at it,” admitted Henderson, speaking as he prepares to star at the MODUS Super Series Influencer Darts Showdown live exclusively on Pluto TV.
“I think, obviously, the Luke Littler effect has helped that side of things, like the youngsters coming through. But the event seems to work.
“The public love watching it, and it’s good to see some of the professionals getting involved and playing with them, and it’s just such a relaxed day.
“It’s good for the sport as well. I think it gives the audience something different to watch. What he [Littler] has done, you know, in the past 12 months, everybody’s thinking, ‘Oh, I want a piece of that.’
“Obviously, Luke Littlers only come along every so often, but it really has progressed as the younger generation coming through, everybody’s buying dartboards now.
“There are academies up and down the country. It’s all good for the younger generation coming through. Luke has certainly put his mark on the sport, there’s no question about that.”
Henderson, 52, alongside the likes of fellow pros Robert Thornton, Mervyn King, and Richie Burnett, will take to the MODUS stage alongside a set of social media personalities, with 12-year-old wonderkid Jayden Walker also in action on Sunday.
“I did one of the first ones, played with AngryGinge. They’re kind of very relaxed, and it was a very good day out,” continued Henderson, who has previously been partnered with YouTuber AngryGinge, a friend of phenom Littler’s.
“I really enjoyed the last one, so it’s good to see some of these guys that have never thrown a dart before. Good fun, and it’s not too serious.
“Obviously playing in the week, on the MODUS, you’ve got your serious head on, then Sunday comes, and you can just chill out and enjoy the company.
“They’re very young lads and they’ve got some very interesting backgrounds, so it’s good to chill out, just have a game of darts and have a wee chat with them.”
