World Darts Championship 2026: Charlie Manby Lives Up to Praise from World Champion Luke Littler

‘Champagne Charlie’ Manby made a memorable debut at Alexandra Palace, edging past Scotland’s Cameron Menzies 3-2 to secure his place in the second round of the World Darts Championship. 

Despite missing six match darts in the final leg, Manby held his nerve to land a dramatic double 1, clinching a victory in front of the raucous crowd.

A Rising Star in Darts

The 20-year-old Yorkshireman has already made waves on the Winmau Development Tour, smashing Luke Littler’s record by hitting a staggering 130.70 average over just 47 darts earlier this year. This obliterated the previous record of 115.22 set by reigning world champion Littler, cementing Manby’s reputation as one of darts’ brightest young talents.

A bricklayer by trade in his native Huddersfield, Manby was first spotted at his local working men’s club, entering his first tournament at just 12 years old. Now signed with Zeal Sports, he continues to build a strong foundation for a future in the sport.

Admiration for a Friend and Mentor

Manby has recently been compared to reigning world champion Luke Littler, and the pair’s paths have intertwined throughout their development. 

Earlier this year, they faced off in what many are calling one of the greatest games in World Youth Championship history, with Manby narrowly missing two darts, including the bull on a 130 attempt, to pull off a stunning victory.

Before Littler entered the World Youth Championship, we caught up with him at the World Grand Prix in Leicester and asked if there was anyone, we should be keeping an eye on at the Youth event. 

Littler had just one name for SportsBoom: Charlie Manby.

We later put this to Manby, asking how it felt to be held in such high regard by the current world number one, and whether he shared a personal relationship with Littler off the Oche. 

Manby opened up, explaining how he has grown up playing alongside Littler and sees him in a very different light to the way most people perceive him.

"Yeah definitely. Luke's [Littler] number one in the World. I get that,” he told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

"People see him completely different to how I see him. I've grown up with Luke; I played for England with him and going through all the JDC England events growing up as a really good mate."

"We have a good relationship and yeah, it does feel good because obviously he's done what he's done for the game, and I think it's great."

"It's good knowing that he knows where I'm at and acknowledges it. And how good of a player I am.”

Staying Focused Away from Social Media

When asked if he reached out to Littler before his Ally Pally debut for advice, Manby revealed he had intentionally stepped away from social media in the lead-up to the tournament.

"I haven't been on social media for a week, especially before a big tournament like this."

"I just think it's not worth it. You see stuff that you might not want to see and you end up just thinking about all that side of things.”

"Whenever I get my phone back, I won't even look at it.”

A Controversial Finish

Manby’s victory came at the expense of Menzies, who, in frustration, punched a drinks table after the five-set defeat. 

The 26th seed later apologised to the Alexandra Palace crowd and was pictured with a gash on his right hand.

Manby chose not to comment on the incident, staying focused on his own game: "I was doing my own thing. I couldn't tell you really.”

Menzies has since issued a statement expressing remorse:

“First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened. I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did."

“It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end."

“It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. I saw him four days before he died and he gave a look which told me how much he thought of me. He treated me like a son."

“Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that has not been lost on me in recent days."

“Let me say again, that’s no excuse for what I did on the stage. It was the wrong thing to do, and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well and deserved his win."

“This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes, I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn’t right.”