Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts enthusiasts to rally behind the prodigious Luke Littler, urging them to recognize and value his extraordinary abilities. The 19‑year‑old world champion has recently faced a wave of boos from sections of the crowd at several high‑profile tournaments, prompting Woodhouse to step in with a heartfelt defence. During the World Grand Prix in Leicester, Littler entered the competition looking to defend his title.
However, his campaign was cut short when he fell to Woodhouse in the opening round, losing 2‑1. The world‑number‑one appeared off‑form, posting an average of just 82.41, while Woodhouse recovered from an initial set loss to secure a last‑16 encounter with Nathan Aspinall. Reflecting on his win, Woodhouse used the platform to champion Littler, praising the youngster for the way he has lifted the sport’s profile. “Luke isn’t a robot; he’ll have days when he’s not firing on all cylinders,” Woodhouse said.
“People keep saying it, and I’ll say it again: he’s a one‑of‑a‑kind talent. I hope fans will take the time to appreciate how good he is and stop giving him a hard time. Really sit behind him. You might never see another Luke Littler again.” The backlash against Littler is not new.
Earlier in September, during the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands, sections of the audience booed and whistled at him. He endured jeers in his opening match against Danny Noppert and again in his round‑of‑16 clash with Aspinall, a match that even required referee Charlie Corstorphine to intervene and calm the crowd. The 19‑year‑old also threatened to boycott Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. Ultimately, his Dutch run ended in the quarter‑finals when Jonny Clayton eliminated him.
When asked why the reigning back‑to‑back PDC World Darts Championship winner was being treated so harshly, Woodhouse admitted he didn’t have a clear answer. “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,” Woodhouse explained. “I just hope people back him, give him the support, and recognise what a top‑class talent he is. Yes, he wasn’t on his best form tonight and he lost last week, but he’ll go on to win many more titles.” Woodhouse’s own match against Littler was a roller‑coaster.
After dropping the first set, he fought back to level the contest and then surged ahead in the third set. He claimed the first two legs, Littler answered by taking the third leg, but Woodhouse closed out the deciding set 3‑1, sealing the victory with a 75 checkout.
“It’s hard to sum up – a mix of emotions,” Woodhouse said after the win. “I felt I let the first set slip away, had chances to push it to a deciding leg and didn’t take them, which made me angry with myself. I sensed Littler wasn’t at his peak, so I thought, ‘Please don’t let him lose two sets when he’s off his game.’ In the end, I’m over the moon to beat someone like Luke on a main stage.” He added that defeating the world No 1 was a significant milestone, yet his hunger for titles remains unabated. “It’s fantastic,” Woodhouse remarked.
“Luke will go down as one of the greats, if he isn’t already. I’m aware the format is short – you have to start strong, double in, double out quickly – so I’m not naive about that.
Winning tournaments is what I’m here for.” The tournament continues with second‑round matches scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Viewers can watch the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m.
on Tuesday, with daily coverage through to the championship match. For those without a contract, streaming options are available on NOW. Woodhouse’s plea highlights a broader conversation within darts about how rising stars are treated by spectators.
While passionate fans are a hallmark of the sport, the line between spirited support and outright hostility can sometimes blur. By calling attention to Littler’s unique skill set and encouraging fans to offer constructive encouragement rather than derision, Woodhouse hopes to foster a more positive environment that allows emerging talent to thrive.
Littler’s achievements at such a young age are already remarkable: he captured the World Grand Prix title, secured multiple televised victories, and consistently challenged seasoned veterans. His rapid ascent has inevitably drawn both admiration and envy, but Woodhouse believes the latter should be channeled into motivation rather than mockery. “Luke’s journey is still early,” Woodhouse concluded. “If we give him the backing he deserves, there’s no limit to what he can accomplish for darts.”