How Luke Littler will be able to drink today despite only turning 17
Many happy returns are in order for Luke Littler, as he is celebrating his 17th birthday today (21 January).
Much to a lot of our envy, the darts prodigy is still enjoying his teenage years and was only born in 2007. And I don't know about anyone else, but that only seems five minutes ago to me.
'The Nuke' has been catapulted to fame for his throwing skills while teetering on the verge of adulthood and dealing with teenage tribulations, but a lot of people presumed he was much older than he was.
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His birth certificate even ended up leaking online as the debate around his age and appearance rumbled on.
Littler is now saying goodbye to a pretty epic year as a 16-year-old, which saw him make history when he earned a spot in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship and won the first senior title of his short career at the Bahrain Darts Masters.
He scored an early birthday present on 19 January when he scooped £20,000 in prize money after beating Michael Van Gerwen, on top of taking home a whopping £200,000 as a runner up at the world championships.
The humble youngster, from Warrington, has said he will stump up the cash for his birthday outing with his loved ones today thanks to the swelling number in his bank account.
He told ITV last week: "On Sunday, we'll all go out as a family for a meal, and even though it's my birthday, I'll treat them."
It's literally impossible not to love Littler, isn't it?
But you may have clocked that he's still 12 months away from being able to legally have an alcoholic beverage to cheers to his achievements - unless he takes advantage of this loophole.
If you've watched The Inbetweeners, then you are probably already well versed in the legalities surrounding teenage drinking.
Remember when Will Mackenzie whipped out his pocket edition of Teenagers Know Your Rights! while arguing with the landlord in a Toby Carvery about serving him?
The law is pretty clear when it states that anyone under 18 is forbidden from buying alcohol or drinking in a place other than a private house.
The darts player can't ask anyone to go in the shop for a tipple for him; as we all know, it is an offence for an adult to purchase booze for those under legal age.
Luckily for Littler though, the UK allows those aged 16 or 17 to have a beer, wine or cider with a meal if accompanied by an adult at a licensed premises.
But he won't be hitting the strong stuff - as it's still illegal for people his age to drink spirits in any pub in the UK - even if he has ordered some grub alongside it.
Sounds like his birthday scran with his nearest and dearest is the perfect time to order a pint.
Topics: Luke Littler, Sport, UK News, Food And Drink
Olivia Burke