Phil Taylor, the 16‑time world darts champion who hung up his competitive shoes in 2018, has taken a candid stance on the vocal reactions Luke Littler is receiving from fans. The young world number one, who was aiming for a clean sweep of all major PDC titles in 2026, found himself the target of persistent whistles and boos during the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Littler even hinted at the possibility of avoiding future Dutch events after the hostile atmosphere. Taylor, speaking to Sky Sports News, told the rising star that he must learn to live with the negativity and, more importantly, turn it to his advantage.
"Littler has got to get used to the boos. Go in there and turn the crowd," the former champion said.
"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." Taylor emphasized that the ability to ignore the jeers and focus on high‑scoring visits can shift the audience’s mood. He praised Littler’s confidence, noting that a bit of swagger is useful for a competitor of his age.
"He’s young and he’s a little bit cocky at times but that’s good, that’s confidence. He just has to accept crowds are going to be on his back for a little bit, but they will get bored with it. 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." The veteran also reminded Littler that, unlike many seasoned professionals, he does not yet carry the weight of extensive responsibilities.
"Littler can just go up there and enjoy himself and win tournaments. 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," Taylor added. He suggested that the key to success lies in treating the audience as a background element rather than a deciding factor.
Taylor went on to discuss how Littler could improve his game "100 per cent" by continuing to practice on the board and by learning from his own experiences. "I would have loved him to have been about… any player that used to come through I used to love anyway because I looked at ways of raising my game," the 66‑year‑old said, drawing a parallel between his own relentless pursuit of excellence and Littler’s current trajectory. He likened the mental toughness required to the determination of a fictional boxer: "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. Players that were better than me, I thrived on it.
I loved it." Taylor also noted that other players are watching Littler closely and that the pressure of being a target could actually motivate him to train harder. "What players are doing now is that they’re watching him and they’re jumping on him.
Players are getting used to him and they will improve, which will put more mental pressure on Luke. 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." When asked whether anyone could ever match his record of 16 world titles, Taylor was realistic but encouraging. "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 said, acknowledging the rarity of such an achievement while leaving the door open for future legends.
Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn echoed many of Taylor’s points, describing Littler as a "natural‑born darts player" whose success is already reshaping his family’s future. Hearn stressed that being booed is part of the professional landscape, especially when playing abroad. "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," he explained, adding that the crowd’s reaction can be managed with the right mindset.
Hearn also referenced past players such as Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, who endured similar hostility before eventually winning over the spectators. "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 said.
He concluded that consistent victories will eventually silence the "boo boys" and cement Littler’s status among the sport’s elite. The broader darts community continues to spotlight major events, with Sky Sports broadcasting the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship throughout the year. For fans eager to follow the drama, live streams are available via NOW without a contract, ensuring that the sport’s growing audience can witness both the triumphs and the occasional chorus of boos that accompany the game’s most compelling narratives.