Luke Littler Faces Boos at World Darts Championship
Luke Littler has drawn comparisons between the jeers he encountered at the World Darts Championship and the criticism faced by football icon Wayne Rooney from England supporters. The 19-year-old darts sensation, known as ‘The Nuke,’ secured his second consecutive title amid repeated boos from the crowd, including before his entrance for the final against Gian van Veen.
Tensions escalated after Littler mocked Stephen Bunting’s early exit in the third round. He further stirred the audience by responding to the boos following his fourth-round victory over Rob Cross, telling fans, ‘You pay for my prize money.’
Lessons from Wayne Rooney’s Outburst
Littler reflected on the situation, likening it to Rooney’s infamous reaction to boos after England’s 0-0 draw with Algeria at the 2010 World Cup. Rooney, a Manchester United legend, later expressed regret over his post-match comments.
‘I think people want to see new winners,’ Littler stated. ‘People are getting bored of me, Luke [Humphries] and Gian [van Veen] winning. Obviously, people can pick who they support, who they want to boo, but I am not going to do anything during the game or after it, I am just going to do my darts.’
He added, referencing the Rooney clip he saw on TikTok shortly after the Cross match: ‘You’ve seen it with Wayne Rooney. That clip at the World Cup. I’ve learned from the Worlds, don’t react and just play my darts.’
Recent Match Challenges
Following a mixed crowd reaction after his first-round win over Mike De Decker at the Winmau World Masters, Littler described the encounter as challenging. De Decker missed a match dart while leading 3-1, forcing Littler to rally for the victory in Milton Keynes.
‘That was a tough one,’ Littler told ITV. ‘I just didn’t get going there. Mike deserved to win the second and third sets. I had to fight back and that’s what I done. A little bit [of nerves] because it’s first to two [legs per set], not first to three. I got over the line, found about a bit of form and got the win.’
Maturing Amid the Pressure
In December, Littler admitted he had ‘lost his head’ on stage after addressing the boos at Ally Pally. Immediately after defeating Cross 4-2, he remarked, ‘I’m not bothered, really I’m not bothered. Can I just say one thing? You guys paid for tickets and you’re paying for my prize money – so thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me, come on!’
Reflecting later, he said: ‘I think I lost it, I think it is still on there [the stage]. 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. I think two years ago I would have started throwing my darts left handed, but that is how much I have grown and matured. People might not say I am mature, but try being in my position. I think it is the first time I have been at the World Championships and the crowd haven’t wanted me to win. I expect the worst on New Year’s Day, whoever I do play.’
