Luke Woodhouse has stepped forward to champion the cause of his fellow competitor, Luke Littler, urging the darts community to recognize and celebrate the young player's extraordinary abilities. The 19‑year‑old, who has recently faced a wave of boos and jeers from sections of the crowd at high‑profile events, was the focus of Woodhouse’s heartfelt appeal. The recent World Grand Prix in Leicester saw Littler attempt to defend his title, only to be eliminated in the opening round by Woodhouse himself, falling 2‑1 in a tightly contested match. Woodhouse, who entered the encounter as the world number one, did not appear to be at his peak, posting an average of 82.41.
After dropping the first set, he rallied to level the match and ultimately secured a place in the last‑16, where he will face Nathan Aspinall. In reflecting on his own victory, Woodhouse emphasized the importance of rallying behind Littler, praising the young man for the way he has elevated the sport. “Luke isn’t a machine. He’ll have days and weeks where he’s not firing on all cylinders,” Woodhouse said.
“People keep saying it, and I’ll say it again: he’s a one‑of‑a‑kind talent, Luke Littler. I hope fans will take a moment to truly appreciate how good he is and stop giving him a hard time. Really, sit behind him. You may never see another Luke Littler again.” Littler’s recent experiences have been far from smooth.
Earlier in September, during the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands, he endured boos and whistles from portions of the audience. The hostility began in his opening match against Danny Noppert and resurfaced in his round‑of‑16 clash with Aspinall, prompting referee Charlie Corstorphine to intervene and calm the crowd.
The 19‑year‑old even threatened to boycott future Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. His run in that tournament ended in the quarter‑finals, where he was defeated by Jonny Clayton. When asked why some spectators seem intent on making life difficult for the back‑to‑back PDC World Darts Championship winner, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a single reason. “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,” Woodhouse explained.
“I just hope people give him the support he deserves and recognize what a top‑class talent he is. Yes, he wasn’t at his best tonight and he lost last week, but he will go on to win many more titles.” During Monday night’s match, Woodhouse recovered from an early set loss, surged ahead in the third set, and captured the decisive leg to seal a 3‑1 victory, finishing with a 75 checkout. He described his emotions as a “mix of feelings,” noting that he felt he had almost squandered the first set, which left him angry with himself. “I thought he wasn’t playing at full speed, so I told myself not to let him win two sets when he’s off his game.
It was a huge relief when I finally closed it out,” Woodhouse said. “Beating someone of Luke’s calibre on a main stage is a massive boost for me.” Woodhouse also highlighted how significant it is to defeat the world’s top‑ranked player, yet he stressed that his hunger for titles remains unquenched. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “Luke is already cementing his place among the greats, if not already there.
I’m aware the format is short and you have to hit your doubles quickly, so I’m not naïve about the challenge. Winning tournaments is what I’m here for.” The tournament continues to unfold, with the second round scheduled for 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 via NOW, offering a flexible way to follow the competition. Woodhouse’s call to action serves as a reminder that even the most talented athletes can face undue criticism, and that a supportive fan base can make a profound difference in a player’s confidence and performance.
By urging supporters to back Littler, Woodhouse hopes to foster a more positive atmosphere that allows the young star to continue pushing the boundaries of darts and inspire the next generation of players.