The 17-year-old, who is attempting to surpass his incredible runner-up result from his tournament debut last year, never fell behind but was constantly pulled back by his unseeded opponent.
Littler struggled to finish in the sixth set, missing a chance to win the match, but he eventually overcame Joyce’s tenacity to take the decisive 3-1.
Littler is the top-seeded player remaining in the event following the unexpected elimination of defending champion Luke Humphries.
Whatever the outcome, it has been an incredible few weeks for Littler, who has brought record-breaking viewing figures to the sport.
Luke Littler has stormed to the World Darts Championship final
PA
Littler was born in Runcorn, Cheshire, and was first introduced to the world of darts when he was just 18-months-old, throwing at a magnetic board. By the age of four he was using a proper board and his first 180 followed just a couple of years later.
Two years ago, Littler …