In the electric atmosphere of the PDC World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace, defending champion Luke Littler powered through a challenging last-16 match against 2018 winner Rob Cross on December 29, securing a hard-fought 4-2 victory to advance to the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old sensation, now the world number one, delivered a masterful performance, averaging over 106 and smashing a tournament record with 17 maximum 180s. Yet, the night was overshadowed by a hostile reception from sections of the crowd, who booed the teenager throughout the contest, cheering instead for the underdog Cross.
The boos intensified as Littler pulled ahead, with fans seemingly eager for an upset or a longer, more dramatic battle. Visibly agitated at times, the young star responded with passionate celebrations, pointing at the crowd and shouting “What now?” after key legs. After clinching the win with a clinical 68 checkout, Littler turned to the jeering spectators in his on-stage interview, firing back with unfiltered frustration: “I’m not bothered, I’m not bothered, really I’m not bothered. Can I just say one thing? You guys pay for tickets and you’re paying for my prize money. So thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me.”
His words sparked immediate debate, with some viewing it as a bold embrace of the villain role in darts’ pantomime tradition, while others criticized the outburst as arrogant. Littler later reflected on the moment, admitting he had “lost his head” amid the pressure. “It is one of those things—the fans, you have got to leave it all in there and give out the odd little ones for the checkouts and breaks of throw, but leave it all until that winning dart,” he said. He acknowledged the unique challenge of his position: “People might not say I’m mature but try and be in my position.”
The controversy didn’t end on the oche. Littler’s mother, Lisa, leaped to his defense on social media, unleashing a passionate tirade against the detractors. Responding to critics who questioned her son’s behavior, she wrote: “Behave like one 😂😂 Best comment so far am sure Luke will carry on behaving like one as he as done crowds were vile let’s all boo the world number one idiots man.” When one user complained about fans paying hard-earned money only to be “financially ridiculed,” Lisa shot back: “So they buy tickets with there hard earned money to sit there like t**ts and boo 👍.” To another who admitted growing to dislike Littler, she replied teasingly: “Aww gutted for ya nottt 😂😂.”
Lisa’s no-holds-barred responses highlighted the fierce protectiveness of a mother watching her son face unprecedented scrutiny at such a young age. The crowd’s shift in allegiance—once cheering Littler as the teenage prodigy who reached the final two years ago—appears rooted in darts’ love for the underdog. With Littler now the dominant force, having stormed to the top ranking and setting records for 180s in this tournament, fans seem to relish backing his opponents, hoping to prolong matches or engineer shocks. A notable factor in this particular encounter was a vocal contingent disgruntled from prior events, adding fuel to the hostile vibe.
Despite the adversity, Littler thrived under the pressure, proving once again why he’s the overwhelming favorite to retain his title. His path to back-to-back championships continues on New Year’s Day in the quarter-finals, where he’ll face either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski. The teenager has already breezed through earlier rounds without dropping a set until the Cross clash, showcasing the composure and firepower that have redefined the sport.
This incident underscores the double-edged sword of fame in darts, where raucous, alcohol-fueled crowds create unforgettable theater but can turn quickly on the sport’s biggest stars. Past dominators like Michael van Gerwen faced similar treatment during peaks of supremacy. For Littler, still navigating the spotlight at 18, these experiences are part of his rapid maturation. As he put it post-match: “It was hostile, nobody wanted me to win, but yet again I proved them wrong.”
The drama at Ally Pally only adds to the intrigue of this year’s championship, with Littler firmly in the hunt for another historic triumph. Whether the boos motivate him further or he channels them differently remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Nuke shows no signs of fizzling out.
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