Phil Taylor, the 16‑time world darts champion who stepped away from professional competition in 2018, has taken on a mentoring role for the sport’s newest sensation, Luke Littler. The 19‑year‑old world number one recently found himself the target of repeated boos and whistles from Dutch fans during the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, an experience that prompted the veteran legend to issue a clear piece of advice: "Get used to the boos and turn them into fuel for your game." Littler entered the Amsterdam event with the lofty ambition of completing a clean sweep of all major Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) titles in 2026. His campaign, however, was interrupted when the enthusiastic, and at times hostile, Dutch crowd began to express their displeasure with frequent whistling and vocal jeering.
The young champion, visibly frustrated, complained publicly about the treatment and even hinted that he might consider boycotting future tournaments in the Netherlands if the atmosphere did not improve. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Taylor addressed the situation directly, drawing on his own decades of experience on the oche.
"Littler has got to get used to the boos. Go in there and turn the crowd.
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," the former champion explained. Taylor emphasized that a player’s reaction to negative crowd energy can either amplify the problem or dissolve it. "He’s young and he’s a little bit cocky at times but that’s good, that’s confidence.
He just has to accept that crowds will be on his back for a little bit, but they will get bored with it," he added. Taylor’s counsel was not limited to mental resilience; he also encouraged Littler to focus on his natural game and ignore the external noise. "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 legend advised.
He highlighted that Littler, unlike many seasoned professionals, does not yet carry the heavy responsibilities that come with a long‑standing career, allowing him to enjoy the spotlight and concentrate on winning tournaments. The former champion also reflected on his own journey, noting that he would have loved to see a player like Littler rise through the ranks. "Any player that used to come through I used to love anyway because I looked at ways of raising my game," Taylor said, drawing a parallel between his own development and the potential he sees in the Warrington phenom. He likened the process of improvement to the classic underdog story of Rocky Balboa, urging Littler to "get the chicken out and chase it down the garden," a colourful metaphor for relentless practice and determination.
Taylor believes that the current wave of criticism could ultimately benefit Littler’s performance. "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," the veteran explained.
In this view, the boos act as a catalyst for self‑reflection and hard work. When asked whether anyone could ever match or surpass his record of sixteen world titles, Taylor was realistic yet optimistic.
"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 also weighed in, describing Littler as a "natural‑born darts player" whose success is already reshaping his family’s future. Hearn praised the young champion’s humility, noting that he is not driven solely by money.
"He’s making a huge amount of money. He’s changing his family’s life and generations beyond, which is what all sports stars should aim for," Hearn told Sky Sports. He added that dealing with hostile crowds is part of the professional experience, comparing it to the inevitable noise a visiting football team faces when taking a penalty on an opponent’s home ground.
Hearn pointed to past examples such as Peter Manley and Gerwyn Price, both of whom endured sustained booing before eventually winning over the audience. "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 explained. The message was clear: perseverance and a positive response to criticism can transform detractors into supporters.
The broader darts community continues to rally around its stars, with Sky Sports remaining the primary broadcaster for marquee events such as the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship. As the sport heads into a busy season, both Taylor and Hearn hope that Littler will use the boos as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block, proving that the next generation can thrive under pressure and keep the spirit of darts alive for fans worldwide.