Phil Taylor, the iconic figure who dominated professional darts for more than two decades, has taken a candid stance on the vocal criticism his young protégé, world number one Luke Littler, has been receiving on the circuit. In a recent interview with Sky Sports News, the 16‑time world champion urged the 19‑year‑old to "get used to the boos" and to use the hostile reaction as fuel rather than a distraction. Taylor’s advice comes after Littler’s ambitious attempt to claim every major PDC title in the 2026 season was halted at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, where a chorus of whistles and jeers from Dutch spectators accompanied his every throw.
Littler, who entered the tournament as the sport’s brightest new star, publicly expressed his frustration at being repeatedly whistled at by the local crowd. The atmosphere grew so tense that the back‑to‑back world champion hinted he might consider boycotting future events in the Netherlands if the antagonism persisted. Taylor, who retired from competitive play in 2018 after securing his final world crown, stepped in to temper the situation. He praised Littler’s talent and confidence, noting that a certain degree of swagger is essential for a player of his caliber.
"He's young and a little bit cocky at times, but that’s good – that’s confidence," Taylor said. "He just has to accept that crowds will be on his back for a while, then they’ll get bored and the mood will shift." The former champion explained that the key to handling a hostile audience lies in performance. "If you start hitting 140s, 180s, and big finishes, the crowd will turn.
Don’t react to the boos; let your game do the talking," Taylor advised. He encouraged Littler to stay focused, keep playing his natural game, and ignore the noise. "Let them boo, then celebrate your wins with a little flair – that’s how you win them over," he added.
Taylor also reflected on the broader context of dealing with pressure. He reminded Littler that, unlike seasoned veterans, he does not yet carry the weight of extensive responsibilities.
"You can go out there, enjoy yourself, and win tournaments without the baggage older players have," Taylor said. "It isn’t easy to ignore the crowd, but you have to find a way to turn them around." When asked how Littler could improve his game, Taylor was unequivocal: "He can improve 100 percent if he keeps working on the board." He likened the process to the underdog story of Rocky Balboa, urging the young Englishman to chase every opportunity with relentless determination. "It’s great to see him up there – he’s a lovely lad who isn’t driven by money alone.
Players who were better than me pushed me to raise my own level, and I loved that challenge." Taylor noted that other competitors are already taking notice of Littler’s rise. "Players are watching him, learning from him, and that will increase the mental pressure on Luke," he said. "He might think, ‘I need to practice more,’ and that self‑reflection will only make him stronger." The conversation shifted to Taylor’s own legendary record. When asked whether anyone could ever match or surpass his sixteen world titles, Taylor was modest yet realistic.
"Winning sixteen world championships requires professionalism and longevity – at least twenty‑five years of top‑level play. It will be very difficult to match me, but a talented player could potentially do it," he remarked. Former PDC chairman Barry Hearn also weighed in, emphasizing that Littler’s reaction to the boos will define his career trajectory.
"In my view, he’s a natural‑born darts player. He’s already earning a substantial income and changing his family’s future. At 19, his schedule needs careful management, but he has a solid support team," Hearn told Sky Sports.
He compared the situation to other sports where visiting players face a hostile home crowd, noting that such reactions are part of professional life. "You have to get used to it. It’s part and parcel of being a professional." Hearn recalled past examples, such as Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, who endured persistent booing before eventually winning over the spectators.
"Manley was the first I saw deal with that, and more recently Price turned the jeers into admiration by smiling back. Luke needs to focus on that – showing the crowd that their noise doesn’t affect his game will eventually silence the boo‑boys," Hearn explained.
The broader darts calendar remains packed, with Sky Sports broadcasting the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship later this year. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, the pressure on emerging stars like Luke Littler will only intensify.
Yet, with guidance from legends like Phil Taylor and seasoned administrators like Barry Hearn, Littler appears equipped to transform criticism into motivation. By embracing the boos, delivering high‑scoring performances, and maintaining his confidence, he can not only silence his detractors but also cement his place among the greats of the game. In summary, Taylor’s message to Littler is clear: accept the crowd’s hostility, focus on flawless execution, and let each 180 and clutch finish rewrite the narrative. The path to greatness in darts, as in any sport, is paved with adversity; how a player responds determines whether they become a champion or fade into obscurity.
With the backing of his mentors and a resilient mindset, Luke Littler has the tools to turn the boos into applause and continue his meteoric rise in the world of professional darts.