Luke Littler says David Beckham messaged him before World Darts Championship final

Teenage darts prodigy, Luke Littler, has revealed David Beckham messaged him before the world championship final to wish him good luck and told Luke, a Manchester United fan, "once a red, always a red".

The 16-year-old, who took the tournament by storm, said he "couldn't believe" it was the former England captain and United legend.

Littler, from Warrington, told Sky News that, with the World Darts Championship over after he lost in the final at Alexandra Palace to world number one Luke Humphries on Wednesday, he can't wait to get back to his usual routine.

He said: "I just want to go home, get the Xbox back on, and just chill."

His journey in the competition has been "crazy", he said, and he "hopes to get back to reality".

Far from having an exhaustive practice routine, he admitted on Thursday that he only trains for "half an hour a day", telling reporters that any more than 30 to 45 minutes a day, "gets boring" - as he trains on his own.

He joked, there "must be a lot of natural talent, [because I] don't practise".

And passing advice to anyone trying to succeed in the game, Littler said: "Just keep at it. If you love the game. Keep at it, make friends, and stick to the board."

Who is Luke Littler?

As well as Beckham, Littler said he has also received messages from current United players, including Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans, and former winger Jesse Lingard.

Littler now has nearly 800,000 Instagram followers, and the darts prodigy called the social media explosion "crazy" adding, "I've just got to get on with it. You have just got to get used to it all".

He hopes the clamour surrounding his achievement "dies down" as he goes back to Warrington, Cheshire, where fans have reportedly gathered around his house.

Nevertheless, Littler said he enjoyed the whole experience from the very first game to the chants of "there's only one Luke Littler".

Littler's celebratory meals have also gained attention as he revealed his penchant for kebabs - and one takeaway in Warrington, Hot Spot, run by his friends Sihad and Hamido has now offered him free doners for life.

"The Nuke" Littler also congratulated 28-year-old world champion Humphries, saying he "deserved it" as the "better man on the night".

The teenager was on course for a spectacular victory after commanding a 4-2 lead over Humphries, but the world number one fought back to win 7-4, claiming the title along with £500,000 in winnings.

Despite his defeat, life will change for the young darts player who pocketed a £200,000 prize for finishing second.

Littler is "fully focused" on his darts career and part of his success was due to no unnecessary pressure from his manager, sponsors or his friends and family which "relaxed him" as he reached the final.

He was handed a place in the Premier League on Thursday, and Humphries believes the 16-year-old "deserves" to be among the sport's elite players, saying he is an "unbelievable talent".

Speaking to TalkSPORT, the world champion said: "Luke Littler is an unbelievable talent, he has an incredibly mature head on young shoulders.

"If you are going to be overawed in anything it would be a world final so I don't think he would be overawed by the Premier League."