Luke Littler has confirmed that he has not spoken to Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated encounter in Manchester, but he maintains that the issue is effectively behind them. The two competitors were embroiled in a contentious on‑stage exchange three weeks ago during a Premier League Darts match, when the back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The incident left a lingering chill that was evident in the handshake at the end of the game and in the subsequent flurry of comments on social media, with each player staunchly defending his own version of events.
When asked about the state of their relationship, Littler was blunt: "No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the kind of person who goes over and starts a conversation with him, even in the practice room.
If anyone wants to talk, they’ll have to come to me first." He added that he does not see any benefit in forcing a dialogue, preferring instead to let the darts themselves settle any lingering score. "We can obviously settle it on the board, but backstage everything has been normal and the preparation has stayed the same," he said. "I think he’s forgotten about it, I’ve forgotten about it.
I moved on the next day, went on holiday." Littler’s refusal to engage directly with van Veen has not stopped the two from potentially meeting again on the circuit. Both players are still in contention for a place in the upcoming finals, which could be held in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham, meaning a rematch is still on the cards if they each advance through the remaining league fixtures.
The Manchester episode has had a noticeable impact on Littler’s reception from fans. After the incident, he faced a hostile crowd in Rotterdam last week and again encountered a chilly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.
Despite the cold shoulders, Littler managed to silence the doubters with a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton in a single night to claim victory. The win, he says, has restored his confidence and reminded him why he loves the sport. When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don’t regret anything.
Everyone has their own opinion, and I respect that. We’ve both moved on with our game on stage; off‑stage, we simply haven’t spoken. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to get on with it. Winning tonight gives me confidence and proves that I can keep playing my darts regardless of the drama." Littler’s relationship with the city of Liverpool has never been particularly warm, largely because he openly supports Manchester United and often jokes about the fortunes of the Anfield club on social media.
Nevertheless, he insists that the reception in Liverpool was far less severe than what he experienced in van Veen’s home turf of Rotterdam. "If it gets any worse than that, then something’s really wrong," he remarked.
"Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I even proved last week that I can win games under those circumstances. There was no anxiety – I just expected the worst, but it wasn’t worse than Rotterdam. That was the toughest environment I’ve faced." Looking ahead, Littler is focused on the upcoming Premier League fixtures and the chance to finish the season on a high note.
He acknowledges that success on the banks of the Mersey would carry extra significance, given the mixed reception he has received there. Yet his primary goal remains simple: to keep playing darts, improving his game, and letting his results speak for themselves. The Premier League Darts season will continue with matches every Thursday until the finals in May, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW.
Fans can follow the schedule, watch highlights, and listen to the "Love the Darts" podcast for deeper insight into the players’ stories, including the ongoing saga between Littler and van Veen. Whether the two will finally shake hands on the stage or continue their silent rivalry off it remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the drama adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling competition.