Luke Littler has openly acknowledged that, to date, he has not had a conversation with Dutch darts star Gian van Veen following their heated exchange in Manchester. Despite the tension, Littler insists that the incident is now behind them and that the focus remains firmly on the sport. Three weeks ago, during a Premier League Darts fixture, the two competitors found themselves embroiled in a public dispute.
The flashpoint occurred when Littler, a back‑to‑back world champion, was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The accusation sparked a brief on‑stage argument that quickly spilled over into the post‑match handshake, which was notably cold and strained. Both players later took to social media to defend their respective viewpoints, each doubling down on their version of events. When asked about any attempts to mend fences, Littler was candid: "No, we haven't spoken.
I'm not the sort of person who goes up and initiates a conversation in that situation." He added that he believes van Veen may be waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him first, even in practice settings. "People will talk to me first," he said, emphasizing his reluctance to be the one to break the silence.
Littler also noted that, while the disagreement could theoretically be settled on the dartboard, the backstage atmosphere has remained unchanged and professional. "Backstage, everything is normal and the preparation is the same," he explained. "I think we've both moved on.
I forgot about it the day after the match and even went on holiday." The fallout from the Manchester incident has not been limited to the two players. Littler has faced a wave of criticism from fans, particularly during recent appearances in Rotterdam and Liverpool. In Rotterdam, the home crowd gave him a hostile reception, and a similar chilly atmosphere greeted him in Liverpool, where he was initially booed.
However, Littler responded by delivering a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory that silenced many of his detractors. When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. Everyone has an opinion, and we’re both entitled to ours. On stage we’ve moved on, but off‑stage we haven't spoken yet.
It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to keep going. Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I love this game." Littler's relationship with certain venues is also colored by his personal affiliations.
He admits that playing in Liverpool has never felt entirely welcoming, largely because he is an outspoken Manchester United supporter and has frequently mocked Liverpool's fortunes on social media. Nevertheless, he believes the hostility he encountered in Rotterdam was far more intense. "Rotterdam was far worse than Liverpool. I proved I can win under those conditions, but it was the toughest environment I've faced," he said.
Looking ahead, Littler is eager for a possible rematch should both he and van Veen progress to the Premier League finals in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. He remains focused on his game, stating that the only thing that truly matters now is the darts board and the chance to add another title to his growing résumé. The Premier League Darts season continues to deliver drama both on and off the oche, with each Thursday bringing new matchups and storylines. Fans can follow the action through to the May finals on Sky Sports or stream the competition via the NOW platform.
As the tournament unfolds, the lingering question remains: will the unresolved tension between Littler and van Veen ever be addressed, or will their rivalry simply become another chapter in the sport's rich history?