LUKE LITTLER will headline Premier League Darts 2025 as he looks to defend his crown and bag £275,000 — as TWO former world champions are axed.

The Warrington wonderkid, 17, stormed to the World Championship crown earlier this month after demolishing Michael van Gerwen in the final.

That came just a year after Littler lost to fellow Luke — Humphries — after bursting onto the scene at the same tournament a year earlier.

Putting his disappointment behind him, Littler would go on to hoover up a hoard of trophies… including the Premier League Darts 2024 title.

So it comes as no surprise the teenager chasing the mantle of world No1 headlines this year’s event.

While Littler — who will turn 18 before the new Premier League season starts — is joined by the likes of Humphries and Van Gerwen, two of last year’s lineup have been cut.

Peter Wright, 54, and Michael Smith, 34, miss out following their alarming slump in form.

They’re replaced by Stephen Bunting — who last featured in the Premier League a DECADE ago, in 2015, and Chris Dobey — who returns having missed last season.

Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall complete the eight-strong lineup fighting out for the £275,000 top prize.

The season begins Thursday February 6 in Belfast and comes to an end in the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday May 29.

Humphries, Littler, Van Gerwen and Cross get in based on their world rankings — sitting first to fourth in the PDO Order of Merit, respectively.

Bunting — who lost to Littler in the World Championship semis — Price, Dobey and Aspinall have all been awarded wildcards.

Wright’s omission is hardly a surprise, with the mohawked Scot finishing dead-last in the 2024 edition.

He failed to win a single night and was also the only player to fail to reach the final on any of the 16 nights of action.

Smith, meanwhile, actually ran out triumphant on two nights, while reaching three further finals.

However, his worrying drop-off in form has led to his axing.

Welsh ace Price retains his place despite his seventh-place finish last season.

Price and Cross were the only two other stars to fail to win a single Premier League event in 2024.

Littler, Humphries and Van Gerwen all won four nights apiece.

But Littler topped the overall standings and went on to beat Humphries 11-7 in the overall final.

And it’s hard to see the two Lukes not going toe-to-toe on the oche once more come May. —Sun.