I've played non-stop since 18 months old - Littler

Luke Littler, the 16-year-old who has taken the PDC World Championship by storm this year, says he has played "non-stop" since he was 18 months old.

He is through to the third round of the competition after Thursday's 3-1 win over UK Open champion Andrew Gilding.

The Englishman, who is guaranteed to win at least £25,000, said he began playing on a magnetic board.

"By the age of four I got onto the proper board," Littler, who is ranked 164th by the PDC, told BBC Breakfast.

"From 18 months on I have been non-stop.

"When we moved to Warrington when I was eight or nine we started going out to pubs four to five times a week."

Littler added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "This is just a free shot for me," he said. "It's my first year, I can add a bit of prize money on to my ranking."

The third round takes place from 27-29 December, when Littler will take on Canadian Matt Campbell.

There is £2.5m in prize money, with the champion collecting £500,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy.