The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace delivered another night of high drama on December 29, 2025, as defending champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler powered through to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 4-2 win over 2018 winner Rob Cross. The 18-year-old sensation, now world number one, produced a stellar performance—averaging 106.58 and smashing 17 maximums, the most by any player in a single match this tournament. Yet, it was the electric, often hostile atmosphere inside the iconic Ally Pally that stole the spotlight, marking a pivotal shift in how the once-beloved teenage prodigy is perceived by the famous darts crowd.
Littler, who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old finalist two years ago and claimed the title last year, has long been the darling of Alexandra Palace. Fans adored his fearless style, cheeky personality, and meteoric rise. But this time, as he faced former champion Cross, sections of the raucous crowd turned against him. Cheers erupted for Cross’s successes, boos rang out for Littler’s missed doubles, and chants supported the underdog narrative. It was a stark contrast to the adulation he’s accustomed to, and the young star admitted it got under his skin.
As the match intensified, Cross mounted a fierce comeback. After Littler dominated early sets, including a blistering third set where he averaged an astonishing 125.25, Cross clawed back to make it 3-2. The veteran nailed impressive checkouts, like a 109 and a 126 on the bull, and even had a dart to force a deciding set. But Littler held firm, breaking back when it mattered and sealing the win with composure under pressure. His celebration, however, was anything but subdued—he ran around the stage gesturing animatedly, shouting “Now what?” at the jeering spectators not once, but twice.
The tension spilled over into his on-stage interview, where Littler, still buzzing with adrenaline, fired back defiantly. “I’m not bothered, I’m not bothered, really I’m not bothered,” he repeated before adding, “Can I just say one thing? You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me, thank you, come on!” He laughed it off in the moment, but later reflected, “I’ve just seen the stats but I wasn’t really thinking of anything. I just wanted to win the game. It was hostile, nobody wanted me to win, but I proved them wrong.”
By the time he spoke in the post-match press conference, Littler had cooled down and offered a more measured response, acknowledging his emotional outburst. “I lost my head,” he confessed candidly. “People might say I have not matured, but try and be in my position. I can still learn a lot. I can learn how to deal with the crowd, not let as much emotion out, just keep it all in me until that final dart.” He recognized this was uncharted territory: “That’s the first time I’ve been at the world championships and the crowd have not wanted me to win.” Comparing it to his younger self, he added, “Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, to be honest. That’s how much I’ve grown and that’s how much I’ve matured. People might not say I’m mature, but try and be in my position.”
The shift in crowd sentiment appears rooted in darts’ love for the underdog. Littler, no longer the wide-eyed newcomer but the dominant favorite bidding for back-to-back titles—a feat achieved only by legends like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson—has become the Goliath. Fans crave extended battles and upsets, and with Littler’s extraordinary talent making victories look almost routine, some now root against him to prolong the spectacle. “They want the underdog to win, or for the game to go on even longer than it should do,” Littler observed. “But it definitely fuelled me up and I’ve definitely played better then.”
Despite the boos, the hostility seemed to ignite Littler rather than derail him. Fueled by “adrenaline, emotion and anger,” he elevated his game when it counted most, producing checkouts like a crucial 164 and holding his nerve in tense legs. “I just kept thinking to myself, ‘Leave everything until that last dart goes in,’” he recounted. “Rob definitely really pushed me. Rob found his feet but I just had to get rid of him.”
Looking ahead, Littler is braced for more of the same in his quarter-final on New Year’s Day against either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski. “I expect the worst on New Year’s Day, whoever I do play. Whatever happens, happens, and I’m ready for New Year’s Day,” he said with determination. He vowed to handle future hostility differently: “You can give the odd little ones out for the checkouts and the breaks of throw, but leave it to that winning dart.”
This incident highlights the evolving dynamic between Littler and the Ally Pally faithful. Once the pantomime hero, he’s now navigating the complexities of being the villain in some eyes—a rite of passage for sporting greats. Yet, his performance amid the adversity was champion-like, sending a warning to rivals that pressure only sharpens his edge. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the crowd’s jeers continue to motivate “The Nuke” toward defending his crown—or if he channels his growth to rise above them entirely.
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