In the electrifying world of darts, where precision meets passion, a storm is brewing among the sport’s veterans over the meteoric rise of teenage sensation Luke Littler. The 18-year-old prodigy, dubbed “The Nuke,” has taken the Premier League by storm as the defending champion, leaving rivals in his wake and fans in a frenzy. But not everyone is swept up in the Littler mania. Dutch darts star Vincent van der Voort has fired a pointed shot across the oche, claiming the current Premier League lineup is overrun with “too many Littler fanboys” and lacks the competitive edge needed to keep the competition thrilling. His bold critique, paired with a call to shake up the roster, has ignited a fiery debate in the darts community as the 2025 season barrels toward its midway point.
Littler’s dominance is undeniable. With a commanding eight-point lead atop the Premier League standings, he’s turned venues from Cardiff to Newcastle into his personal playground, racking up consecutive nightly wins and dazzling crowds with his scoring prowess. His latest triumph in Newcastle saw him dismantle world No. 1 Luke Humphries with a 6-1 thrashing, a performance that underscored his relentless form. Yet, it’s not just his darts doing the talking—it’s the camaraderie he’s inspired among his peers. Players like Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall have been spotted exchanging fist bumps and smiles with the young star mid-match, a sight that’s left Van der Voort shaking his head. “Every little thing, they’re giving him fist bumps or smiles,” the 49-year-old Dutchman remarked, his frustration palpable. For him, this chummy atmosphere is diluting the cutthroat spirit that once defined the Premier League’s Thursday night spectacle.
Van der Voort, a seasoned campaigner known as the “Dutch Destroyer,” isn’t shy about naming names—or suggesting replacements. He’s thrown his support behind compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode, a fiery former aubergine farmer yet to claim a televised major, as the antidote to the current crop of players he deems overly deferential to Littler. “Compared to some of the players in it now, I’d much rather watch Dirk,” he declared. “There’s always something happening when he plays.” Van der Voort envisions Van Duijvenbode, ranked No. 18 in the world, bringing a no-nonsense intensity to the stage, unafraid to challenge Littler head-on. “He steps up to compete against him and does everything to win,” he added, contrasting this with what he sees as players acting like “the perfect son-in-law”—polite, predictable, and, in his view, uninspiring.
The critique lands at a pivotal moment. With the Premier League’s 17-week gauntlet stretching across seven countries, the Professional Darts Corporation carefully curates its eight-player field, blending top-ranked stars like Littler, Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen with wildcards chosen for their flair and fan appeal. Van der Voort, currently world No. 29, knows the selection process well—he nearly snagged a spot himself last year. “In my injury year, I was really close,” he recalled, hinting at a near-miss that left him tantalizingly short of the spotlight. An on-stage interview in Rotterdam had fueled his hopes, but a season derailed by injury dashed them. Now, watching from the sidelines, he’s convinced the league needs a jolt of unpredictability to counter Littler’s runaway success.
Littler’s ascent has been nothing short of historic. The Warrington native, who turned 18 in January, claimed the 2025 PDC World Championship title at just 17, becoming the youngest world champion ever. His Premier League debut last year culminated in a nine-darter and a final victory over Humphries, cementing his status as darts’ brightest star. This year, he’s added the UK Open and multiple World Series titles to his resume, amassing over £1.5 million in prize money in a mere 13 months. But his dominance—and the admiration it’s sparked—has ruffled feathers. At the recent World Darts Championship, Bunting and Aspinall’s friendly exchanges with Littler drew raised eyebrows, prompting Aspinall to vow a tougher stance. “I showed him too much respect that night,” he admitted, promising more aggression in future clashes.
Van der Voort’s call for change isn’t just about rivalry—it’s about entertainment. The Premier League thrives on drama, from sold-out arenas to raucous crowds, and he fears the current dynamic risks flattening that excitement. Van Duijvenbode, with his animated style and relentless drive, could be the spark to reignite it, especially as Littler’s lead widens. “There are too many Littler fanboys right now,” Van der Voort insisted, urging a shake-up before the playoffs loom on May 29 at London’s O2 Arena. Whether his plea sways the PDC remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: in a sport where every dart counts, the battle for supremacy—on and off the board—is heating up.
Leave a Reply