Luke Littler has been named as the third most searched person on Google in the UK, ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles.

Littler, who is preparing for the World Darts Championship which begins this Sunday at 6.30pm live on Sky Sports, was only behind the Princess of Wales, searched as Kate Middleton, and US President elect Donald Trump.

The 17-year-old gathered attention 12 months ago on his run to the World Championship final, which he lost to Luke Humphries.

The final in January was watched by 4.8m people on Sky Sports, the highest-ever non-football audience.

Littler topped the standings for the most searched athletes in the UK this year, ahead of Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, and gymnast Simone Biles, who won three golds at Paris 2024.

“To be recognised in two Year in Search lists is a huge honour,” said Littler.

“It has been an amazing year for me personally, and for the sport of darts as a whole. I cannot quite believe I am trending higher than both the Prime Minister and the King in the ‘people’ category.

“In a year of such great sporting achievements, it is a proud moment for me to be the top trending athlete in 2024.”

Little became the youngest person to make a televised nine-darter at the Bahrain Darts Masters earlier this year, where he also won his first senior PDC title.

He competed in the 17-week Premier League series, winning the play-offs night in London with another nine-darter in the final in May.

After winning the Poland Darts Masters, Littler had a dip in form with first-round exits at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix, but he won the Grand Slam of Darts and World Series of Darts Finals in November.

Boxer Khelif most searched athlete worldwide

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was the most searched athlete in the world on Google this year after a row over her eligibility at the Olympics.

Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting were alleged to have failed gender tests in 2023, although no evidence was or has been provided to back up that allegation.

Some incorrect headlines suggested the boxers were transgender athletes – even though both were born female and are classed as female in their passports. However, the row proved controversial and has brought the debate around eligibility and female classification into the spotlight.

Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight competition in Paris amid huge controversy after the International Boxing Association (IBA) said the Algerian had been disqualified from last year’s World Championships for failing gender eligibility criteria.

The 25-year-old has filed a legal complaint with the French authorities over the online abuse and harassment she was subjected to during the Games, and the IOC said in early November that she was now also taking action over new reports which emerged in France, allegedly detailing her leaked medical records.

It also said it was “saddened” by the abuse Khelif had received since her appearance in Paris.