Defending champion Luke Littler delivered a stunning victory and an even more astonishing post-match rant, taking aim at the Alexandra Palace crowd after they booed him during his fourth-round clash at the PDC World Darts Championship.
A Hostile Reception at Ally Pally
Luke Littler, the teenage sensation known as 'The Nuke', secured his place in the next round on 29 December 2025 by defeating former champion Rob Cross. However, the match was played out to a chorus of boos directed at the reigning title holder from sections of the London crowd, who instead threw their support behind his opponent.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, Littler held his nerve to clinch a crucial win, keeping his hopes of retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy alive. The tension from the oche spilled over immediately after the match concluded, prompting a remarkable outburst from the young star during his interview with Sky Sports.
'Thank You for My Money': Littler's Fiery Retort
Littler did not hold back in his assessment of the crowd's behaviour. He began by sarcastically thanking the spectators for their contribution to his earnings. "Can I just say one thing," he stated. "You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me!"
He went on to describe the mental battle of the match, acknowledging that Cross had broken his throw before he managed to break back. Littler revealed he had shut out the noise to focus solely on winning, admitting the environment was intensely against him. "I just wanted to win. It was hostile, no one wanted me to win. They were wrong," he declared.
The Long Road to the Final
While the victory was sweet, Littler was quick to temper any talk of the title being within his grasp just yet. The champion emphasised the scale of the challenge still ahead in the tournament. "It is not in reach just yet," he cautioned. "You have got to get to the final."
His comments highlight the immense pressure that comes with being the defending champion at darts' most prestigious event, especially when facing a popular opponent like 2018 winner Rob Cross. The incident at Alexandra Palace sets up a fascinating narrative for the remainder of Littler's championship campaign, as he continues his quest for back-to-back world titles against a backdrop of vocal opposition.
