LUKE 'The Nuke' Littler suffered a rare disappointing day as he was beaten in the opening round of Players Championship 4 in Leicester.

The Warrington 17-year-old, who has been the sport’s star attraction since his run to the final of the World Championship at the turn of the year, suffered a 6-5 defeat to James Wade.

Wade won the deciding leg thanks to visits of 140 and 138 to send Littler home.

Littler won his debut event in the Players Championship in Wigan last week before a second-round exit and a quarter-final loss in events 2 and 3.

He is back in action on Thursday in the fourth round of the Premier League as darts’ biggest roadshow heads to Newcastle.