Phil Taylor, the 16‑time world darts champion who hung up his competitive shoes in 2018, has taken a moment to address the challenges faced by the sport’s newest sensation, Luke Littler. The 19‑year‑old world number one has recently found himself at the centre of a wave of boos and whistles from spectators, particularly during the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Taylor’s message to the young Warrington prodigy is clear: learn to thrive on the hostility, turn it into fuel, and let the performance speak for itself. Littler entered the 2026 season with the lofty ambition of capturing every major Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) title in a single calendar year.
His campaign, however, hit a snag in the Netherlands when Dutch fans repeatedly whistled and jeered his throws. The backlash was enough to provoke Littler into a public complaint and even a tentative threat to boycott future events in the country.
Observers noted the tension, but Taylor, ever the seasoned veteran, saw an opportunity for growth. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Taylor emphasized that the boos are part of the professional landscape. "Littler has got to get used to the boos.
Go in there and turn the crowd. Sometimes if you play well and you start hitting your 140s and 180s, your big finishes, the crowd will turn and don’t react to it, but he does react," the former champion explained. He praised Littler’s confidence, describing it as a healthy dose of swagger that can propel a young player forward.
"He’s young and he’s a little bit cocky at times but that’s good, that’s confidence. He just has to accept that crowds will be on his back for a little while, and eventually they’ll get bored with it," Taylor added. The advice was practical as well as philosophical.
Taylor urged Littler to keep his focus on the board, ignore the noise, and let his skill do the talking. "Keep doing what you’re doing, keep playing well, and just concentrate. Let them boo and then do your little antics when you’ve won," he said. In Taylor’s view, the key is to treat the audience’s reaction as a background element rather than a distraction.
Taylor also reflected on his own career, noting how he had to adapt to pressure and criticism throughout his 25‑year reign at the top. He likened the mental resilience required in darts to the underdog story of Rocky Balboa, urging Littler to “get the chicken out and chase it down the garden,” a colourful metaphor for confronting challenges head‑on. "You have to be a bit like Rocky Balboa by getting the chicken out and chasing it down the garden. It’s great to see him up there and he’s a lovely lad who is not money‑orientated," Taylor remarked, underscoring the importance of passion over profit.
Beyond personal encouragement, Taylor highlighted a broader trend: younger players often become the target of vocal criticism before eventually winning over the crowds. He cited the experiences of Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, both of whom endured sustained booing before gaining fan affection. "Manley was the first one I came into contact with, but of late, Price got a lot of stick.
He smiled back at them and today, he’s one of the world’s most popular players," Taylor noted. The implication for Littler is clear – perseverance and a positive response can convert detractors into supporters. Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn echoed Taylor’s sentiments, describing Littler as a “natural‑born darts player” whose talent is already reshaping his family’s future. Hearn emphasized that the boos are a normal part of competing in foreign venues, comparing them to the noise a visiting football team might face when taking a penalty on an opponent’s home ground.
"You’ve got to get used to this sort of thing. It’s part and parcel of being a professional," he said. Hearn also stressed the importance of managing Littler’s schedule and support team, given the young champion’s age and the demands of a packed PDC calendar that includes the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship.
He believes that with the right guidance, Littler can continue to amass titles while staying grounded. Taylor concluded by acknowledging the rarity of his own record – sixteen world titles over a quarter‑century – and suggesting that while matching such a feat will be extraordinarily difficult, talent combined with professionalism can produce remarkable results. "To win 16 world titles you’ve got to be very professional and you’ve got to do it for at least 25 years, I’d say. It will be very difficult to match me but whoever has got talent can do it," he affirmed.
In summary, Phil Taylor’s counsel to Luke Littler is a blend of tough love, strategic insight, and veteran perspective. He urges the young champion to accept the inevitable jeers, focus on delivering high‑scoring visits, and ultimately win the crowd over through performance. As the darts season progresses, all eyes will be on Littler to see whether he can transform the boos into applause, following in the footsteps of past greats who turned adversity into triumph.