Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation known as “The Nuke,” has ignited a social media storm with a sharp-witted retort aimed at veteran darts player Neil Duff. The reigning PDC World Champion, who captured the title in January 2025 by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3, didn’t hold back after Duff mocked England’s early exit from the World Cup of Darts. Littler’s pointed response, delivered via Instagram, has kept fans buzzing, showcasing the teenager’s fiery spirit both on and off the oche as he navigates the pressures of global stardom.
The drama unfolded following England’s unexpected 8-4 defeat to Germany in the second round of the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt on June 15, 2025. Littler, paired with world No. 1 Luke Humphries, was a favorite to dominate, but the duo faltered against Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. Duff, a 52-year-old Northern Irish player competing in the Modus Super Series, seized the moment to taunt England’s performance, posting on Facebook, “How’s England doing?” The jab stung Littler, who faced intense crowd hostility during the match, with German fans booing him from his first throw. The loss was a rare setback for Littler, who had enjoyed a meteoric 2024, winning the Premier League, Grand Slam, World Series Finals, and UK Open, alongside his world championship crown.
Littler bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. That opportunity came when Duff suffered a 4-1 thrashing by Wales’ Martin Thomas in the Modus Super Series on June 20, 2025. Quick to capitalize, Littler shared screenshots on Instagram, juxtaposing Duff’s taunting post with the veteran’s recent defeat. Mimicking Duff’s words, Littler captioned the post, “How’s Neil Duff doing?” The cheeky comeback sent darts fans into a frenzy, with many praising the teenager’s boldness. “Littler’s not just a champion with darts—he’s lethal with a screenshot,” one fan commented online, capturing the sentiment of his 1.9 million Instagram followers.
This wasn’t Littler’s first social media clapback. Earlier in the week, he responded to criticism from two-time world champion Dennis Priestley, who questioned whether Littler and Humphries deserved their MBE honors. Priestley had remarked, “To be brutally honest, I don’t think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet,” suggesting the accolades were premature. Littler, undeterred, used his platform to defend his achievements, pointing to his record-breaking World Championship win at 17 years and 347 days, surpassing Van Gerwen’s previous record set at age 24. “It’s big to know that not only the likes of David Beckham are watching, but the Prime Minister too, that’s amazing,” Littler said, referencing a congratulatory message from Beckham after his world title triumph.
Littler’s social media savvy has fueled his rise as a cultural phenomenon. His 2024 World Championship final drew a peak UK audience of 3.7 million, the largest for a non-soccer event in Sky Sports’ history. His Instagram following skyrocketed from 3,940 to over a million during the tournament, making him the third-most-searched person in the UK in 2024, behind only Kate Middleton and Donald Trump. Yet, the spotlight hasn’t come without challenges. Littler has faced online hostility before, notably defending his ex-girlfriend Eloise Milburn from trolls in 2024. “Everyone needs to stop sending hate towards Eloise saying it’s her fault,” he posted after their breakup, showcasing his loyalty.
As Littler prepares for the World Matchplay in July 2025, his clash with Duff underscores his refusal to back down. “My dad looked so settled throughout the game,” Littler said of his World Championship final, crediting his father, Anthony, for keeping him grounded. With a £1.1 million prize pot and a No. 2 world ranking, Littler’s focus remains on the oche, but his social media jabs prove he’s just as sharp in the digital arena.
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