Luke Littler exploded into an emotional celebration after producing one of the greatest comebacks of his career to beat Jermaine Wattimena on Wednesday. The world champion battled back from 7-2 down to beat Wattimena 13-11 in sudden death, sparking an eruption of relief inside the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Littler was visibly nervous on the oche and animated with his reactions throughout a gruelling clash for a spot in the quarter-finals. He started sloppily to slip 4-0 behind and failed to close the deficit as Wattimena moved four legs away from a huge shock at 7-3.

Then, Littler woke up, and the 37-year-old could not contain his charge. The Nuke, 18, won four legs on the bounce before powering into an 8-7 lead to Wattimena's disbelief.

It set up a chaotic climax. Littler did not capitalise on his Dutch opponent missing a bullseye to level the score and was made to pay.

There was no separating the two after that as the first-to-11 match reached 10-10. Littler nudged in front again before Wattimena held his throw in response.

In sudden death, the teenage sensation finally got the job done by breaking the throw with a double 20, taking the match 13-11 and progressing to the last eight.

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After his winning dart, Littler passionately celebrated towards his family and friends in the crowd and raised eyebrows by holding and intensely pointing at a part of his shirt.

During his post-match interview, the world champ explained that it was a star that symbolised his maiden triumph at Ally Pally at the start of the year.

"It just didn't go to plan. I bust the 127, then I missed my doubles," a relieved Littler said on the stage.

"I was always three or four legs behind. But after the second break, I say to myself, 'I'm on the stage until the end, just work hard.'"

Littler added that he had not felt nerves like those that hit against Wattimena since his first-round match of his World Championship victory.

He shouldered the expectations of the darts universe against Ryan Meikle and recovered from a poor start to win 3-1, after which he burst into tears during his on-stage interview.

Littler added: "I'll be honest I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship against Ryan Meikle. But nervous but the crowd here unbelievable."

He followed Gian Van Veen, James Wade, Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, Andrew Gilding and Gerwyn Price into the quarter-finals. Michael van Gerwen or Josh Rock will book the final ticket.