Luke Woodhouse stepped up to defend his World Grand Prix title in Leicester on Monday, only to be eliminated in the opening round by the 19‑year‑old prodigy Luke Littler, losing 2‑1. While Woodhouse’s average of 82.41 suggested he was not at his peak, the match still showcased Littler’s rising stature in the sport.
After the victory, Woodhouse used the platform to call on spectators to rally behind Littler, emphasizing the youngster’s unique contributions to darts and urging the crowd to recognise his skill rather than criticize him. "Luke isn’t a machine; he’ll have days when his game isn’t perfect," Woodhouse said in the post‑match interview.
"People keep saying it, and I’ll say it again: he’s one‑of‑a‑kind, Luke Littler. I hope fans will take the time to truly appreciate how good he is and give him the backing he deserves. You may never see another player like him again." The plea comes after Littler endured a series of boos and whistles from sections of the audience during the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands earlier this September. In that tournament, the teenager faced a hostile reception during his opening clash with Danny Noppert and again in his round‑of‑16 encounter with Nathan Aspinall, prompting referee Charlie Corstorphine to intervene to calm the crowd.
The tension escalated to the point where Littler threatened to boycott future Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. He eventually bowed out in the quarter‑finals, losing to Jonny Clayton. When asked why the reigning back‑to‑back PDC World Champion seemed to be the target of such negativity, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a single reason.
"I don’t know why some people are giving him a hard time," he said. "He’s done for the game what legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson have done, taking it to the next level. I just hope people give him the support and recognize the top‑class talent he possesses.
Sure, he wasn’t on fire tonight and he lost last week, but he will go on to win many more titles." During the Leicester match, Woodhouse recovered from an early set loss to level the contest before launching a dominant start in the deciding third set. He claimed the first two legs, saw Littler answer back on the third, and then sealed the final leg to clinch the set 3‑1, finishing with a checkout of 75.
Reflecting on the win, Woodhouse described his feelings as a “mix of emotions.” He confessed that missing chances in the first set left him angry with himself, but he also recognised that Littler was not playing at his absolute best, which gave him a psychological edge. "I thought I threw it away in the first set – well, not completely, but I had opportunities to push it to a deciding leg and when I didn’t, I was furious with myself," he explained.
"I sensed Luke wasn’t firing on all cylinders, so I thought, ‘Please don’t let him lose two sets when he’s off his game.’ It was a huge relief when I turned it around. I’m over the moon to beat someone of Luke’s calibre on a main stage." Woodhouse also highlighted how significant it is to defeat the world number one, yet he stressed that his ambition remains focused on winning titles. "It’s fantastic," he said, "Luke is already on his way to being remembered as one of the greats, if not already. I’m aware the format is short – you have to start strong, double‑in, double‑out quickly – so I’m not naïve about that.
It’s a big achievement, but winning tournaments is what I’m here for." Looking ahead, the tournament’s second round will unfold over Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with continuous coverage through to the championship match.
For those without a contract, the event is also available for streaming on NOW, offering a flexible way to follow the drama as it unfolds. Woodhouse’s heartfelt appeal underscores a broader conversation within darts about how rising stars are treated by the audience.
While competitive spirit is integral to any sport, the veteran’s message is clear: respect the talent, celebrate the achievements, and give emerging players the encouragement they need to flourish. In an era where the sport continues to attract new fans and global attention, fostering a supportive environment could ensure that prodigies like Luke Littler not only survive the inevitable ups and downs of a professional career but also thrive, pushing the game to ever‑greater heights.