Darts sensation Luke Littler has been firmly criticised for telling a section of the Alexandra Palace crowd that they "pay for my prize money" following his victory in the last 16 of the World Darts Championship.
Former Pro Delivers Blunt Verdict
The 18-year-old world number one made the remark on stage to Sky Sports after his hard-fought 4-2 win against Rob Cross on Monday, December 30th. Littler was responding to boos from some spectators during the match. His comments have since drawn a wave of disapproval, with former professional player James Hubbard becoming the latest to condemn the teenager's conduct.
In a post on social media platform X, Hubbard stated plainly: "You can't go on stage and tell the crowd 'you guys pay for tickets to pay for my prize money'." He urged the reigning champion to "behave like one, and represent the sport properly", adding that such a comment from a footballer would cause uproar. Hubbard concluded by predicting Littler would be advised not to repeat the action.
A Tense Victory Amidst Boos
Despite the controversy, Littler's performance against 2018 champion Rob Cross was statistically outstanding. He averaged over 106 and hit an impressive 17 maximum 180s. Cross pushed him hard, averaging close to 99, with the match going to a final-leg decider in the sixth set before Littler sealed a 4-2 win.
Speaking after the match, Littler explained his frustration. "The first set everyone got on myself a little bit. I gave it to the crowd. Throughout the game, they remember that," he said. "I just had to let all my emotions out. I was up for it. I have no idea who they were. People in the stands, a few tables at the front. I just had to get on with it."
Quarter-Final Awaits on New Year's Day
The incident has cast a shadow over Littler's progression to the quarter-finals, where he is scheduled to play on New Year's Day. He will face the winner of the match between Luke Woodhouse and Krzysztof Ratajski. A potential route to the final on Saturday, January 4th, could then see him meet Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals and either Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen in the championship decider.
As the tournament reaches its climax, the focus will be on whether the young champion can let his darts do the talking and channel the crowd's energy, whether positive or negative, into another title-winning performance.
