Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts enthusiasts to rally behind the young phenom Luke Littler, urging the crowd to recognise and celebrate his extraordinary abilities. The 19‑year‑old, who has recently faced a wave of boos at several high‑profile tournaments, was the focus of Woodhouse's heartfelt plea following their recent encounter in Leicester. The match in question took place on Monday at the World Grand Prix, where Littler was defending his title against a determined Woodhouse. Despite a valiant effort, Littler fell 2‑1 in a first‑round showdown, bowing out after a tightly contested battle.
Woodhouse, who entered the match as the world number one, seemed off‑form, posting an average of 82.41 – below his usual standards – yet he managed to recover from a set down to secure a place in the last‑16, where he will face Nathan Aspinall. In the aftermath of his victory, Woodhouse turned the spotlight onto Littler, praising the teenager for the way he has elevated the sport of darts. "Luke isn’t a robot; he’ll have days when he’s not at his peak," Woodhouse explained. "People keep saying the same thing, and I’ll say it again: he’s a one‑of‑a‑kind talent.
I hope fans take the time to truly appreciate how good he is and stop giving him a hard time. Really, sit behind him and support him. You might never see another Luke Littler again." The call for support comes after a series of unsettling incidents at the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands earlier in September.
During that event, Littler was met with boos and whistles from sections of the audience. The hostility began in his opening match against Danny Noppert and continued into his round‑of‑16 clash with Nathan Aspinall, prompting referee Charlie Corstorphine to intervene in order to calm the crowd. The young champion also threatened to boycott future Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held in the country. His run at the Dutch tournament ultimately ended in the quarter‑finals, where he was defeated by Jonny Clayton.
When asked why some spectators seemed inclined to give the back‑to‑back PDC World Darts Championship winner a hard time, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a single reason. "I don’t know why they’re being harsh," he said.
"But he has 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 back him, give him the support he deserves, and recognise what a top‑class talent he is. Yes, he wasn’t at his best tonight and he lost last week, but he will win many more titles in the future." Woodhouse’s own performance was a study in resilience. After dropping the first set, he fought back to level the match and then surged ahead in the third set.
He claimed the opening two legs, saw Littler respond by taking the third, and then closed out the deciding leg to clinch the set 3‑1, finishing with a checkout of 75. Reflecting on his win, Woodhouse described a whirlwind of emotions.
"It’s hard to sum up – a mix of feelings," he said. "I felt I almost threw away the first set – not completely, but I missed chances to push it to a deciding leg, and that frustrated me. 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.’ In the end, it was a huge relief, and I’m over the moon to beat someone of his calibre on a main stage." He also underscored how significant it was to defeat the world number one, while stressing that his hunger for titles remains unquenched.
"It’s fantastic," Woodhouse continued. "Luke is going to go down as one of the greats, if he isn’t already.
I’m not naïve about the short format – you have to start strong, hit your doubles quickly, and stay sharp. It’s a tough environment, but winning tournaments is what I’m here for." The tournament’s schedule continues with the second round spread over Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the championship match on Sunday. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with daily coverage leading up to the final.
Those without a contract can also stream via NOW, ensuring the excitement remains accessible to a broad audience. Woodhouse’s appeal highlights a broader conversation within the darts community about sportsmanship, fan behaviour, and the responsibility of supporters to nurture emerging talent. Littler’s rapid ascent – already a two‑time world champion at just 19 – has inevitably drawn both admiration and scrutiny.
While some spectators may feel threatened by his swift rise, Woodhouse’s message is clear: respect the skill, enjoy the competition, and give the young star the encouragement he deserves. In a sport where the margin between triumph and defeat can be a single dart, fostering a positive atmosphere is essential for both seasoned veterans and the next generation of champions.