Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts enthusiasts to rally behind the young phenom Luke Littler, urging fans to recognize and appreciate his exceptional abilities. The 19‑year‑old world No. 1 has recently endured a wave of boos and jeers from sections of the crowd at several high‑profile tournaments, a situation Woodhouse believes is undeserved.
During the World Grand Prix in Leicester, Littler entered the competition aiming to defend the title he secured last year. However, his campaign was cut short when he faced Woodhouse in the opening round. The match unfolded with Littler taking the first set, only for Woodhouse to recover from a set deficit and clinch a 2‑1 victory. Woodhouse’s average of 82.41 suggested he was not firing on all cylinders, yet his resilience allowed him to advance to a last‑16 encounter with Nathan Aspinall.
In the post‑match interview, Woodhouse emphasized the importance of giving Littler the backing he deserves. "Luke isn’t a machine; he’ll have days when his game isn’t razor‑sharp," 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 a moment to truly appreciate how good he is and stop giving him a hard time. Honestly, you might never see another player like Luke Littler again." The backlash against Littler is not new. Earlier in September, at the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands, sections of the audience booed and whistled throughout his opening match against Danny Noppert and again during his round‑of‑16 clash with Aspinall. The hostility escalated to the point where referee Charlie Corstorphine had to intervene to calm the spectators.
The young champion even threatened to boycott future events in the Netherlands and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. His run in that Dutch event ultimately ended in the quarter‑finals, where he was defeated by Jonny Clayton. When asked why the reigning two‑time PDC World Champion appears to be the target of such negativity, Woodhouse admitted uncertainty.
"I don’t know why some people are giving him a hard time," he replied. He then drew parallels between Littler’s impact on the sport and the legacies of legends such as Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson, noting that Littler has already taken the game to a new level.
"I just hope people support him and recognise the top‑class talent he brings," Woodhouse added, acknowledging that Littler had an off‑night but expressing confidence that the youngster will continue to amass titles. Woodhouse’s own performance on Monday night demonstrated his fighting spirit. After dropping the first set, he fought back to level the match and then surged ahead in the third set, taking the first two legs before Littler managed to claim the third.
Woodhouse sealed the deciding leg, winning the final set 3‑1 and finishing with a checkout of 75. Reflecting on the win, he described a “mix of emotions,” confessing that he felt he had almost squandered the first set and was angry with himself for not converting key opportunities. He praised Littler’s resilience, noting, "I felt he wasn’t flying on all gears, so I thought, ‘Please don’t let him lose two sets when he’s not playing well.’ It was a huge relief when I turned it around." Winning against the world No.
1 on a major stage was a milestone for Woodhouse, yet he remains hungry for further success. "It’s fantastic," he said, adding that Littler will go down as one of the greats, if he isn’t already. He acknowledged the short‑format nature of the Grand Prix, where players must hit doubles quickly and efficiently, but reiterated that his ultimate goal is to capture tournament titles. The tournament progresses with the second round slated for Wednesday and Thursday, quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with continuous coverage through to the championship match. For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available via NOW with no contract required. Woodhouse’s call to action underscores a broader conversation within darts about how emerging stars are treated by audiences.
While the sport thrives on passionate supporters, the line between spirited cheering and outright hostility can sometimes blur. By championing Littler’s unique skill set and urging spectators to offer constructive encouragement rather than derision, Woodhouse hopes to foster a more respectful environment that allows young talents to flourish. Ultimately, the hope is that the darts community will rally behind its rising stars, celebrating their achievements and nurturing the next generation of champions.