Luke Littler is into the semi-finals of the for the second straight year and is guaranteed a significant payday.

saw off in the quarter-final on New Year’s Day to move into the last four at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old has been in supreme form in north London and has now won four matches over the festive period.

He has beaten Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce and Aspinall to on Thursday night. The will play either three-time champion Michael van Gerwen or Chris Dobey in the final.

Despite his youth, Littler is no stranger to the final stages of the biggest darts tournament in the , having reached last year’s final, where .

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After a brilliant debut campaign, in which he bagged £618,500 in prize money from major events, the teenager is aiming to go one better this time around, but he knows he will take home a significant amount of prize money no matter what happens.

By reaching the semi-finals, Littler is already guaranteed £100,000, while his winnings will go up to £200,000 if he finishes as the runner-up again. Of course, he is aiming to lift the trophy on Friday night – if he achieves that goal, he will pocket £500,000.

He is not getting ahead of himself just yet, though. Speaking to Sky Sports after beating his friend Aspinall, he said: “I think we both played very well there. I'm so glad to win. The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it.

“The Ryan Meikle game was very tough but ever since it has felt like last year. I'm just playing with absolute confidence. When they're going in I'm playing with freedom, but now I'm looking on to the semi-finals.

“They (the crowd) have been good for me tonight. They've also been good to Stephen. They can take their pick and support whoever they want to tomorrow. I can see quite a few Nuke shirts in here, so I think I've got on the better!”

Littler will play Bunting on Thursday night after he reached the second World Championship semi-final of his career by holding off a Wright fightback to win 5-2 earlier on New Year’s Day. “In the back room, I felt really nervous, on edge,” Bunting said.

“Peter Wright is a fan favourite and he is my son's favourite player. I felt sorry for my son, but I knew the crowd was going to turn pivotal in the middle of the game. And listen [to the crowd] in the first four sets you were unreal but you have got to do better.

“I thought to myself just try and refocus. Each and every game I have just focused on that opponent. The crowd, unbelievable again. Let's go Bunting mental!”