World No 1 Luke Littler has opened up about his battle with hostile crowds and admits people are “bored” of seeing him win.
The back-to-back world champion often attracts boos and whistles from fans – in Germany in particular – while his relationship with spectators in his home country has also turned sour.
Littler, 19, emerged onto the scene as a 16-year-old phenomenon at the World Darts Championship in December 2023, eventually losing the final to fellow Englishman Luke Humphries in 2024, before going on to lift the crown in 2025 and 2026.
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Speaking on the Love The Darts podcast, Matt Edgar discusses whether Littler can complete a clean sweep of every major trophy this year
While ‘The Nuke’ appeared universally adored at that point and for some time after, though, his outburst to the crowd after their support for Rob Cross at the quarter-final stage of the most recent World Championship and then his on-stage spat with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 in the Premier League has markedly changed his reception from fans.
Indeed, Littler described the atmosphere in Rotterdam on Night 11 of the Premier League as “the worst I’ve experienced”.
Littler also clashed with hecklers in Liverpool, Dublin, Brighton, Nottingham, Berlin and Aberdeen and Leeds before the teenager let out his emotions after winning the Premier League final at London’s O2 in May.
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani show ahead of the US Darts Masters in New York, Littler said: “What’s the point in paying money for tickets and then coming to boo?
“Putting me off when I am trying to win games. I think that was from January up until the Premier League.
“It was just crazy. The boxers and obviously the footballers get it so, so bad.
“I think even David Beckham was really, really down at one point.
“I don’t know what is up with us British.
“For myself, I have just come along winning and maybe people are bored of seeing me win.”
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Emma Paton, Michael Bridge and Stuart Pyke debate whether the 2026 Premier League final was the best ever
Littler revealed he had even considered walking away from the game: “I was very close [to taking a break]. It was just week after week of fans whistling and booing. People are coming in from work, paying their money and just whistling, which is not really nice to do, is it?
“I decided [against taking a break] to get that winning feeling back and to let everyone know I’m not going anywhere, I’m here to win titles and I’ve won every title this year so far.”
What’s happening on Sky Sports next?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18-26, as a 32-player field competes for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
Littler will be eyeing back-to-back titles in Blackpool, with 2024 champion Humphries and three-time World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen also set to star in the £1m event.
This summer’s action will also feature the fifth staging of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay, as eight of the biggest names in the women’s game battle it out for the title currently occupied by Lisa Ashton.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
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