ITV Forced to Intervene as Darts Crowd Targets Prime Minister with Explicit Chant
Broadcaster ITV was compelled to issue an on-screen apology during the World Darts Masters final after spectators repeatedly directed an X-rated chant at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The incident occurred during the highly anticipated showdown between teenage sensation Luke Littler and former world champion Luke Humphries at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.
Persistent Chant Disrupts Major Darts Final
During multiple points in the championship match, the audience could be heard singing "Keir Starmer's a w****r" to the distinctive opening melody of the White Stripes' 2003 anthem 'Seven Nation Army'. The persistent nature of the chant forced ITV to take unprecedented action during the fourth set, flashing a message on screen that stated: "We apologise for any offensive language."
This marks the latest in a series of similar incidents where darts crowds have targeted the Labour leader with explicit chants. Previous occurrences include the World Grand Prix late last year and the World Darts Championship, where broadcaster Sky Sports opted to mask the offensive language with generic crowd noise rather than issue a formal apology.
Littler's Victory Overshadowed by Political Chanting
While 19-year-old world champion Luke Littler ultimately secured a dramatic 6-5 victory over Luke Humphries to maintain his dominance in major darting competitions, the achievement was partially overshadowed by the political chanting from sections of the audience. The World Masters event, recently revamped and held at Milton Keynes' Arena MK, typically focuses on sporting excellence rather than political commentary.
The incident raises questions about the intersection of sporting events and political expression, particularly given darts' reputation for lively but generally good-natured crowd participation. Unlike football matches where political chants are more commonplace, darts tournaments have traditionally maintained a different atmosphere despite enthusiastic spectator involvement.
Broader Context of Declining Popularity
The chanting incident coincides with fresh polling data revealing Sir Keir Starmer's approval ratings have reached unprecedented lows. According to BMG Research, more than 50% of participants would prefer a different leader, with the Prime Minister's net satisfaction score plummeting to -49 in recent weeks.
Even among those who supported Labour in the 2024 General Election, dissatisfaction appears to be growing, with a net satisfaction rating of -9 according to early-2026 patterns. When asked about preferred alternatives, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emerged as the top choice among those desiring leadership change, receiving 24% support.
Interestingly, Reform voters also expressed support for Burnham, with some believing he could potentially win back support that drifted to Nigel Farage's party. The polling reveals significant uncertainty about future leadership, with 23% of respondents selecting "none of the above" despite wanting change from the current Prime Minister.
Broadcasting Dilemmas and Future Implications
The incident highlights the challenges broadcasters face when live sporting events become platforms for political expression. While Sky Sports has previously used technical measures to mask similar chants, ITV's decision to issue a formal apology represents a different approach to handling the situation.
As darts continues to grow in popularity and attract larger television audiences, broadcasters may need to develop clearer protocols for dealing with politically charged crowd behaviour. The repeated nature of these incidents suggests they may become a recurring feature at major darting events, particularly during high-profile matches with significant television coverage.
The convergence of sporting spectacle and political commentary creates complex dilemmas for event organisers, broadcasters, and sporting bodies who must balance freedom of expression with maintaining appropriate standards for family-friendly television broadcasts.
