Celebrity Darts World Cup 2025: Ex-footballer becomes darts winner

Six celebrities fought for the crown of the “Celebrity Darts World Cup 2025” on Sunday evening, January 5th, at the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf. At their side were five darts professionals who supported the prominent players. While a prominent participant caused a lot of conversation with her outfit, the current reigning darts world champion Luke Littler (17) was conspicuous by his absence. After an exciting final thriller, the winner of the “Celebrity Darts World Cup” was finally decided after more than four hours at 12:43 a.m.

Shortly before one o’clock in the morning the time had finally come in Düsseldorf’s Maritim Hotel: to the cheers of the spectators, ex-footballer and TV expert Patrick Owomoyela (45) took victory alongside darts professional Stephen Bunting (39). The former Borussia Dortmund player prevailed in the final against his competitor, pop singer Vanessa Mai (32), who had professional Luke Humphries (29) at her side.

Previously, football commentator Wolff-Christoph Fuss (48), actor Axel Stein (42), comedian Simon Gosejohann (48) and reality TV actress Evelyn Burdecki (36), who, among other things, caused a lot of conversation with her footwear, were eliminated. Because the former “Bachelor” participant fought for the darts crown in high heels. “Are those ideal darts shoes that Burdecki is wearing?” Moderator Christian Düren (34) also asked the question of the evening.

While the celebrities were supported by numerous darts professionals, there was no trace of world champion Luke Littler on Sunday evening. He had canceled the event the day before. And for a legitimate reason, as co-moderator Elmar Paulke (54) explained. In England, the home of the 17-year-old world champion, there is currently a lot of hype surrounding Littler. “We saw at this World Cup how much pressure he was under. He sometimes ran off the stage in tears.” That’s why it was the world champion’s parents who put a stop to the hustle and bustle surrounding their son. Paulke thinks it’s commendable: “It’s also a compliment to the parents to now say: No. Stop. Now is private time. Now is vacation. Now is relaxation.”

In addition, Littler would have had to leave the stage after 11 p.m. anyway due to the current youth protection regulations, as moderator Düren reminded.