Ipswich part-time barber Ryan Meikle, of Leiston, ‘looking forward’ to facing teenage sensation Luke Littler at PDC World Darts Championship

Suffolk’s Ryan Meikle is ‘looking forward’ to his showdown with teenage sensation Luke Littler at the PDC World Darts Championship this weekend.

The 28-year-old Leiston star, nicknamed 'The Barber' after his part-time profession in Ipswich, defeated Fallon Sherrock 3-2 in the first round and will now face 17-year-old Littler, who was last year's runner-up.

Littler was crowned as the 2024 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year on Tuesday night and also finished as runner-up in the main BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

"I'm excited. I'm looking at it as a positive thing. The chance to play the boy who everyone's talking about," Meikle said to BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I'm not going to sit here and say yeah I can win, obviously I've got a chance, but I'm excited and looking forward to it."

Meikle acknowledged Littler will be the heavy favourite going into the match following his remarkable year, which includes victories at three PDC finals.

“There'll be millions tuning in just to watch his game and I'm going to be a part of it," he said.

"I'm going to feel honoured just to be up there with him.

"Obviously I need to play a lot better than I did (in the first round) but being up there once now, the first round is always the hardest, hopefully I'll relax a bit more and play my best game.

"I'm living the dream and it's the most amazing feeling."

Meikle’s journey into the professional darts scene took a huge leap in 2016 when he secured a PDC Pro Tour card after successfully navigating the second day of Q School.

This year is Meikle's fifth appearance at the World Championship and he has now reached the second round for the third time in a row.

Before his clash with Littler on Saturday, Meikle plans to head home to Leiston and go back to work.

"I like to go home and keep busy and my mind off it and then I'll just prepare for Saturday," he said.

"I love it and embrace it. I'm just a normal lad - it doesn't really feel real. I just try to enjoy it and take it in my stride."