Luke Woodhouse has publicly appealed to darts fans to rally behind the young phenom Luke Littler, urging the audience to recognise and value his extraordinary abilities after the 19‑year‑old endured a wave of boos at recent tournaments. Littler entered the World Grand Prix in Leicester on Monday with the intention of defending his title, but his campaign was cut short when Woodhouse eliminated him in the opening round, handing the world No. 1 a 2‑1 defeat.
During the match, Littler appeared off‑form, posting an average of just 82.41, while Woodhouse recovered from a set down to secure a place in the last‑16 where he will face Nathan Aspinall. After the win, Woodhouse took the opportunity to champion Littler’s contribution to the sport, stressing that the young player deserves admiration rather than criticism. "Luke isn’t a machine; he’ll have days when everything doesn’t click," Woodhouse explained.
"People keep saying it, and I’ll say it again: he’s a one‑of‑a‑kind talent. I hope everyone takes a moment to appreciate how good he is and stops giving him a hard time. Really, sit behind him and support 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 crowd booed and whistled at him. He faced jeering in his opening match against Danny Noppert and again in his round‑of‑16 clash with Aspinall, prompting referee Charlie Corstorphine to step in and calm the situation.
The young champion even threatened to boycott Dutch events and subsequently withdrew from two Players Championship tournaments held there. He eventually bowed out in the quarter‑finals, losing to Jonny Clayton. When asked why some spectators seem inclined to give the back‑to‑back PDC World Darts Championship winner a hard time, Woodhouse admitted he could not pinpoint a reason. "He’s done for the game what legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson have done, taking it to the next level," Woodhouse said.
"I just hope people back him, give him the support and recognise what a top‑class talent he is. Yes, he wasn’t at his best tonight and he lost last week, but he will win many more titles." Woodhouse’s own performance on Monday night illustrated his resilience.
After dropping the first set, he fought back to level the match and then surged ahead in the third set. He claimed the opening two legs, saw Littler respond with a leg of his own, and then secured the decisive leg to close the match 3‑1, finishing with a 75 checkout. Reflecting on his victory, Woodhouse described a “mix of emotions,” noting that he felt he had almost let the first set slip away and was angry with himself for not converting crucial chances. He added, "I sensed Littler wasn’t firing on all cylinders, so I thought, ‘Please don’t let him lose two sets when he’s off his game.’ In the end, it was a huge relief and I’m over the moon to beat someone like Luke on a main stage." Winning against the world No.
1 was a significant milestone for Woodhouse, but he made it clear his ambition remains focused on capturing titles. "It’s fantastic," he said.
"Luke is going to go down as one of the greats, if he isn’t already. I’m not naïve about the short‑format nature of this event; you have to start strong, double in, double out quickly. It’s a tough format, but winning tournaments is what I’m here for." The tournament’s second round will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, with quarter‑finals slated for Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
Fans can watch day two of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with daily coverage extending through the final. For those without a Sky subscription, the event can also be streamed via NOW with no contract required.
Woodhouse’s call for empathy and backing reflects a broader conversation about how emerging stars are treated in darts. While seasoned champions often enjoy a respectful fan base, newcomers like Littler can become targets for frustration when expectations run high. By highlighting Littler’s unique skill set and urging supporters to celebrate rather than condemn, Woodhouse hopes to foster a more positive atmosphere that allows the next generation of players to thrive.
In summary, Woodhouse’s message is clear: Luke Littler is a rare talent whose contributions to darts merit admiration. Despite recent boos and criticism, Littler’s achievements—including a World Grand Prix title at just 19—demonstrate his potential to become a lasting figure in the sport. As the tournament progresses, the darts community will be watching to see whether fans heed Woodhouse’s appeal and give Littler the encouragement he deserves, paving the way for his continued success on the world stage.