Phil Taylor, the iconic figure who dominated darts for two decades, has taken a candid stance on the recent wave of boos and whistles directed at world number one Luke Littler. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, the 16‑time world champion urged the 19‑year‑old prodigy to "get used to the boos" and to turn that hostile energy into a source of motivation.
Taylor, who retired from professional competition in 2018 after a glittering career that included his final world title five years earlier, believes that Littler’s reaction to the crowd will be a defining factor in his continued rise. Littler’s ambition to claim every major Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) title in the 2026 season hit an early snag at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. During his matches, Dutch spectators repeatedly whistled and booed him, prompting the young champion to voice his frustration publicly.
The backlash was not limited to the arena; the back‑to‑back world champion even hinted at the possibility of boycotting future events in the Netherlands if the hostile atmosphere persisted. Taylor, who has seen the sport evolve from the days of smoky pubs to the high‑tech stadiums of today, offered a seasoned perspective. "Littler has got to get used to the boos," he said. "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 emphasized that a consistent display of high scoring – those 140s, 180s, and clinical finishes – can shift public sentiment. "When you keep delivering the fireworks, the audience eventually respects the performance," Taylor added. He also addressed Littler’s youthful confidence, describing it as a double‑edged sword.
"He’s young and he’s a little bit cocky at times but that’s good, that’s confidence," Taylor noted. "He just has to accept that crowds will be on his back for a little bit, but they will get bored with it." The message was clear: confidence must be paired with resilience, especially when the crowd’s reaction is less than welcoming. Taylor’s advice extended beyond mental toughness.
He urged Littler to focus on his own game, ignoring the noise and concentrating on his throws. "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.
The former champion painted a picture of a player who can thrive under pressure by treating the boos as background noise rather than a personal attack. The veteran also highlighted that Littler, unlike many seasoned professionals, does not yet carry the weight of extensive responsibilities. "Littler doesn’t have responsibilities. He can just go up there and enjoy himself and win tournaments," Taylor explained.
"Go up there, enjoy it, take no notice of the crowd, which isn’t easy, obviously, but work out a way of turning the crowd around." When asked how Littler could improve his game, Taylor was unequivocal: "He would improve 100 per cent if he kept working on it." He praised the Warrington youngster’s natural talent, saying, "He’s a lovely lad who is not money‑orientated. Players that were better than me, I thrived on it.
I loved it." Taylor drew a parallel with the classic underdog story of Rocky Balboa, urging Littler to “get the chicken out and chase it down the garden,” a metaphor for relentless pursuit of excellence. Taylor also observed a broader shift in the darts community. Younger players are now watching Littler closely, and many are “jumping on him,” meaning they are learning from his style and perhaps feeling increased mental pressure to match his performance. "He might then think, ‘I need to practise a bit more,’ so he’s doing things to improve his game whereas before he’s going in there and not thinking about it," Taylor explained.
The conversation turned to legacy when Sky Sports asked whether anyone could ever match Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. He responded modestly but confidently: "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." This statement underscores the rarity of such sustained dominance while leaving the door open for future talent. Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn weighed in, describing Littler as a “natural‑born darts player” whose success is already reshaping his family’s future.
Hearn noted that the young champion’s schedule requires careful management, but he has a solid support team in place. "He will get booed and frankly, when was the last time you saw a penalty being taken in the home end by the visitors? Was it quiet or did they boo? You’ve got to get used to this sort of thing.
It’s part and parcel of being a professional," Hearn said, drawing a parallel to other sports where visiting athletes face hostile crowds. Hearn also referenced past players such as Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, who endured similar treatment before winning over the public.
"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.
Luke has got to concentrate on that more, showing that it doesn’t affect him," Hearn explained. The implication is clear: perseverance can transform boos into applause. The broader darts calendar remains packed, with Sky Sports broadcasting key events like the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship. For Littler, the challenge is to navigate the inevitable criticism that comes with rapid success while continuing to hone his craft.
As Taylor and Hearn both suggest, the key lies in focusing on performance, embracing the pressure, and ultimately letting the results speak louder than any crowd’s reaction. In summary, the darts community is watching a pivotal moment in Luke Littler’s career.
The advice from legends like Phil Taylor and Barry Hearn provides a roadmap: accept the boos, maintain confidence, and let consistent high‑level play win over skeptics. If Littler can internalize these lessons, he may not only silence the dissenting voices but also cement his place among the sport’s elite, potentially carving a legacy that could one day be measured against the towering achievements of the very legends guiding him today.