Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts enthusiasts to rally behind the young prodigy Luke Littler, urging the crowd to recognise and respect his extraordinary abilities. The 19‑year‑old world champion has recently endured a wave of boos and jeers at several high‑profile tournaments, prompting Woodhouse to step in and defend his peer. During the World Grand Prix in Leicester, Littler entered the competition aiming to retain his title, but his campaign was cut short when he faced Woodhouse in the opening round.
The match concluded with a narrow 2‑1 defeat for the world number one, who appeared to be off‑form, posting an average of just 82.41. Woodhouse, however, recovered after dropping the first set and secured a place in the last‑16 where he will meet Nathan Aspinall.
In the post‑match interview, Woodhouse spoke passionately about Littler’s impact on the sport. “Luke isn’t a robot; he has off‑days just like anyone else,” he said. “People keep telling me the same thing, and I’ll say it again: he’s a one‑of‑a‑kind talent.
I hope fans will take the time to truly appreciate how good he is and stop giving him a hard time. Really sit behind him.
You might never see another Luke Littler again.” The backlash against Littler is not new. Earlier in September, during the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands, sections of the audience booed and whistled at him repeatedly. He was jeered during his opening match against Danny Noppert and again in the round‑of‑16 against Nathan Aspinall, a match that even required referee Charlie Corstorphine to intervene and calm the crowd.
The young champion also threatened to boycott Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. His run in that tournament ended in the quarter‑finals where he lost to Jonny Clayton.
When asked why the darts community seemed to target the back‑to‑back PDC World Championship winner, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a single reason. “I don’t know,” he said.
“He’s done for the game what legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson have done, and he’s taken it to the next level. I just hope people give him the support he deserves and recognise his top‑tier talent. Yes, he wasn’t at his best tonight and he lost last week, but he will go on to win many more titles.” Woodhouse’s own performance on Monday night demonstrated resilience.
After losing the first set, he fought back to level the match and then dominated the third set, taking the first two legs before Littler claimed one leg. Woodhouse closed out the deciding set 3‑1, finishing with a 75 checkout. Reflecting on his victory, he described his emotions as “a mix of feelings.” He confessed he felt he had almost thrown away the first set, missed chances to push it to a deciding leg, and was angry with himself for the missed opportunities. Yet he also expressed relief that Littler was not playing at his peak, allowing him to seize the win.
“I’m over the moon to beat someone like Luke on a main stage,” Woodhouse added. The win over the world number one was a significant milestone for Woodhouse, but he stressed that his hunger for titles remains unquenched. “It’s fantastic,” he said.
“Luke will go down as one of the greats, if he isn’t already. I’m aware the format is short – you have to start strong, double in and double out quickly – but winning tournaments is what I’m here for.” Looking ahead, the World Grand Prix continues with the second round spread over Wednesday and Thursday, 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 through to the championship match.
For those without a contract, streaming options are available on NOW. Woodhouse’s call for empathy highlights a broader issue in professional darts: the sometimes harsh treatment of rising stars by sections of the crowd. While passionate supporters are a hallmark of the sport, the line between enthusiasm and hostility can blur, especially when a young player disrupts the established order. By championing Littler, Woodhouse not only defends a fellow competitor but also promotes a culture of respect that could benefit the entire darts community.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on both Woodhouse’s quest for further victories and Littler’s response to the criticism, with the hope that talent will be celebrated rather than condemned.