Phil Taylor, the celebrated 16‑time world darts champion who stepped away from professional competition in 2018, has taken a keen interest in the challenges faced by the sport’s newest sensation, Luke Littler. The 19‑year‑old world number one recently found himself the target of persistent boos and whistles from Dutch spectators during the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, an incident that sparked a heated exchange between the two darts icons.
Littler entered the 2026 season with the lofty ambition of capturing every major Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) title in a single year. His quest, however, hit an unexpected roadblock when the crowd in Amsterdam repeatedly whistled and jeered his every throw.
The young champion, visibly frustrated, voiced his displeasure on‑stage, prompting a swift response from Taylor, who was speaking to Sky Sports News at the time. "Littler has got to get used to the boos," Taylor said, his tone a mix of mentorship and blunt honesty. "Go in there and turn the crowd.
If you start hitting your 140s, 180s and big finishes, the audience will shift. The key is not to react to the noise, but to keep your focus and let your game speak for itself." Taylor emphasized that the boos were a normal part of a professional’s life, especially for a player as confident – and occasionally cocky – as Littler.
"He's young and a little bit cocky at times, but that’s good. It shows confidence.
He just needs to accept that crowds will be against him for a while, then they’ll get bored and the atmosphere will change," the former champion added. He offered practical advice: continue playing well, stay concentrated, and treat any negative reaction as background noise. "Let them boo, then celebrate your victories with a bit of flair. That’s how you win them over," Taylor urged.
The veteran also highlighted that Littler, unlike many seasoned competitors, does not carry the weight of extensive responsibilities. "He can go out there, enjoy himself and win tournaments without the baggage that older players often have.
The challenge is learning to ignore the crowd, which isn’t easy, but it’s essential for long‑term success," Taylor explained. Taylor went on to praise Littler’s natural talent, noting that the young Warrington prodigy has the potential to improve his game by a full hundred percent if he remains committed to practice.
"I would have loved to see him develop further," Taylor said, drawing a parallel to his own career trajectory. "Every player I admired pushed me to raise my own standards. Littler should adopt a Rocky‑Balboa mindset – chase the chicken down the garden and never give up." He also observed that other players are now watching Littler closely, using his style as a benchmark. This scrutiny, Taylor believes, will increase the mental pressure on the teenager, compelling him to train harder.
"He might think, ‘I need to practice more,’ and that will only make him stronger," Taylor noted. When asked whether anyone could ever surpass his record of sixteen world titles, Taylor was realistic yet hopeful. "Winning sixteen world crowns requires professionalism and longevity – at least twenty‑five years at the top.
It will be incredibly tough to match, but talent can always surprise you," he said. Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn also weighed in, describing Littler as a natural‑born darts player whose success is already reshaping his family’s future.
"He’s making a huge amount of money and changing lives for generations. At 19, his schedule needs careful management, but he has a solid support team behind him," Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn pointed out that being booed is not unique to Littler; it’s part of the sport’s culture, especially when playing in a rival’s home venue. "When a visiting player takes a penalty in the opponent’s end, the crowd rarely stays silent.
You have to get used to that – it’s part of being a professional," he explained. He recalled the experiences of Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, both of whom endured sustained heckling before eventually winning over the audience. "Manley was the first I dealt with, and more recently Price faced a lot of stick.
He smiled back, and now he’s one of the most popular players in the world. Luke can do the same – focus on his game, ignore the noise, and the crowd will eventually respect him," Hearn advised. The overarching message from both legends is clear: resilience, confidence, and consistent high‑scoring play are the antidotes to hostile crowds. By embracing the boos, turning them into motivation, and delivering spectacular finishes, Littler can not only silence his detractors but also cement his status as the sport’s next great champion.
As the darts calendar rolls on, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the premier events – the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship – offering fans worldwide a front‑row seat to watch whether Littler can indeed convert the jeers into cheers and fulfill his ambitious 2026 agenda.