Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts enthusiasts to rally behind the young prodigy Luke Littler and to recognize the exceptional skill he brings to the sport. The 19‑year‑old world No. 1 has recently faced a wave of boos from sections of the audience at several high‑profile tournaments, prompting Woodhouse to step in and defend him.
During the World Grand Prix in Leicester, Littler attempted to defend his title but was eliminated in the first round by Woodhouse, losing 2‑1. Woodhouse’s performance that night was below his usual standard, with an average of just 82.41, yet he managed to recover from a set down and secure a last‑16 clash with Nathan Aspinall.
After his victory, Woodhouse used the interview platform to highlight Littler’s importance to darts, stating, "Luke isn’t a robot; he’ll have days when he’s not firing on all cylinders. He’s truly one‑of‑a‑kind, and we should appreciate his talent rather than criticize him.
You may never see another player like Luke Littler again." He emphasized that fans should give Littler the benefit of the doubt and offer genuine support, especially given how much he has already contributed to raising the profile of the game. Littler’s recent experiences have not been limited to on‑stage defeats.
Earlier in September, at the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands, he endured repeated boos and whistles from certain crowd sections. The hostility began during his opening match against Danny Noppert and continued through his round‑of‑16 encounter with Aspinall, where referee Charlie Corstorphine had to intervene to restore order. The negative reception escalated to the point where Littler threatened to boycott future events in the Netherlands and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there.
He eventually fell in the quarter‑finals to Jonny Clayton. When asked why the darts community seemed to turn against the back‑to‑back PDC World Championship winner, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a single cause. He did, however, place Littler’s achievements in the context of the sport’s legends, noting, "He’s done for the game what Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld, and Gary Anderson have done, taking it to the next level.
I just hope people back him, give him the support he deserves, and recognize his top‑tier talent. Yes, he missed a few chances this week, but he will win many more titles in the future." Woodhouse’s own match against Littler was a dramatic affair.
After dropping the first set, he fought back to level the contest and then surged ahead in the third set, taking the first two legs before Littler answered with a third. Woodhouse clinched the final leg of the deciding set 3‑1, finishing with a 75 checkout. Reflecting on the win, he described his emotions as a "mix of frustration and relief," explaining that he felt he had let the opening set slip away but was ultimately grateful to have avoided a straight‑sets loss. "Beating someone of Luke’s calibre on a main stage is a massive boost for me," he added.
Woodhouse also acknowledged that defeating the world No. 1 was a significant milestone, yet he remains driven to capture more titles.
He praised Littler’s potential, stating, "Luke is destined to be remembered as one of the greats, if he isn’t already. The short‑format nature of this tournament means you have to start strong, but winning tournaments is my ultimate goal." The World Grand Prix continues with the second round scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with daily coverage leading up to the championship match.
For those without a contract, streaming options are also available via NOW. Woodhouse’s call for unity underscores a broader message: the darts community should celebrate emerging talent like Littler, offering encouragement rather than criticism, and ensure that the sport continues to thrive through the support of its fans.