The teenage trailblazer fulfilled his darting destiny in a generational clash in the capital, averaging 102 and pinning 56% of his attempts at double to write his name into the history-books.
Littler was beaten by Luke Humphries in a record-breaking final a year ago to the day, and having vowed to bounce back, he backed up those claims with a virtuoso performance.
The 17-year-old punished some early frailties from Van Gerwen to storm into a 4-0 lead, and while the Dutch superstar battled back bravely, he was unable to seriously threaten a famous fightback.
Littler now succeeds Van Gerwen in becoming the youngest ever World Darts Champion, after the Dutchman had lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time at the age of 24.
“Taylor Lanning/PDC”
FRIDAY JANUARY 3rd
THE FINAL (19.30 GMT)
Luke Littler 7-3 Michael van Gerwen
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0)
PRIZE FUND
Champion: £500,000
Runner-Up: £200,000
Semi Finals: £100,000
Quarter Finals: £50.000
Last 16: £35,000
Last 32 £25.000
Last 64: £15,000
Last 128: £7,500
TOTAL £2,500,000