Luke Littler has openly acknowledged that he has not spoken to Dutch darts star Gian van Veen since their heated confrontation in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident is now behind them. The two competitors were involved in a tense on‑stage exchange during a Premier League Darts fixture three weeks ago, when the reigning back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The episode ended with a chilly handshake and a flurry of comments on social media, as both men have since stuck to their own versions of what happened. Littler made it clear that he has not yet cleared the air with van Veen.
"No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of person who goes over and starts a conversation with him," he said. He added that perhaps van Veen is waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him first, even in practice settings.
"I'm not the type who chats away," he reiterated, emphasizing his reluctance to engage in small talk outside the competitive arena. Despite the personal distance, Littler is eager for a possible rematch should the two meet again in the later stages of the Premier League.
Both players could cross paths again if they advance to the finals in Aberdeen, Leeds, or Birmingham. "We can obviously settle it on the darts board," Littler noted, "but backstage everything has been normal and the preparation has stayed the same." He believes the tension has largely faded for both parties. "I think he's forgotten about it. I've forgotten about it.
I moved on the day after, went on holiday," he said, indicating that he has deliberately put the incident behind him. The fallout from the Manchester episode has not been limited to the players themselves; fans have also taken sides. Littler reported feeling the sting of a hostile reception in Rotterdam last week, and he faced a similarly unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, he managed to silence the doubters with a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory.
When asked whether he regrets his actions in Manchester, Littler was unequivocal. "No, I don't regret anything," he said.
"I have my opinion, he has his opinion, and we're both entitled to them. We have both moved on with our game on stage, but off stage we haven't spoken yet. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to get on with it. Winning tonight gives me confidence." Success on the Mersey, where Liverpool lies, holds special significance for Littler.
He has never been warmly welcomed in the city, largely because he is an outspoken Manchester United supporter and often jokes about Liverpool's fortunes on social media. Yet he admitted that the hostility he experienced in Rotterdam, van Veen's home turf, was even more intense. "If it gets worse than that, then something's 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's the worst I've experienced." Littler's comments underline a broader truth about professional darts: while rivalries can flare up in the spotlight, the sport ultimately demands that players keep their focus on the board. The Premier League format, with its weekly Thursday fixtures leading up to a May finale, provides ample opportunity for redemption and for players to demonstrate resilience under pressure.
For Littler, the priority remains clear – keep hitting high scores, stay composed, and let the results speak for themselves. Looking ahead, fans can continue to follow the drama and the high‑quality darts action each Thursday on Sky Sports, with live streaming available through NOW.
The league's schedule and standings are regularly updated, and additional content such as match highlights, podcasts like "Love the Darts," and behind‑the‑scenes analysis are accessible for those who want deeper insight. Whether Littler and van Veen meet again in the knockout stages or not, the Premier League Darts season promises plenty of excitement, skillful play, and the occasional personal storyline that adds color to the competition.