‘Never mind him’ – Peter Wright aims swipe at Luke Littler amid fears world champion could skip European Championship
Luke Littler Called Out for ‘Inappropriate’ and ‘Disrespectful’ Comments After Dismissing Mike de Decker
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy and reigning PDC World Champion, has faced widespread criticism for his post-match remarks following a dominant 3-0 victory over defending champion Mike de Decker in the second round of the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix on October 9 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The “Nuke,” who advanced to the quarterfinals with a flawless performance, described the match as “a bit boring at times” in an off-camera interview, claiming de Decker “didn’t show up” and that he “had to plod along” despite expecting more from the “reigning champion.” The comments, perceived as dismissive and insensitive given de Decker’s recent personal struggles—including the loss of his father in August—have been branded “inappropriate and not very respectful” by Dutch darts veteran Vincent van der Voort, sparking a heated debate about the teenager’s brash confidence and its place in darts’ traditionally banter-filled culture.
The Match: Littler’s Clinical Demolition
Littler’s second-round clash was a masterclass in the double-in/double-out format, where he held all five legs on his throw and converted three of five break opportunities to win sets 3-1, 3-1, and 3-1 without ever facing a break point. He opened with a 170 and closed with a 121 checkout on D18, landing five 180s to de Decker’s three and achieving 100% success on doubles (7/7). De Decker, the 2024 surprise winner who stunned Humphries 6-4 in the final, averaged 97.12 but faltered with a 25% double success rate (3/12) and 12 missed darts. On stage, Littler was gracious: “Mike’s a champion—he made me work for it.” But his off-camera aside to a Sky Sports reporter shifted the tone dramatically: “Mike didn’t play his best there, and I just had to plod along. It was a bit boring at times because I expected something from the reigning champion, and I just had to do a job. If my opponent’s playing as good as me on stage, I’m obviously going to match it. He just didn’t show up.”
The quip, delivered with Littler’s trademark smirk, was intended as a candid reflection on the match’s lack of competitiveness but landed poorly amid de Decker’s emotional context. The Belgian, ranked No. 15, has been candid about his grief, with his father’s passing adding weight to his 2024 Grand Prix triumph as a beacon of resilience.
Van der Voort’s Rebuke: “Inappropriate and Not Very Respectful”
Vincent van der Voort, a 10-time PDC Tour Card holder and commentator, wasted no time condemning Littler’s words on the *Darts Draait Door* podcast, labeling them “just a tap on the chin you give someone like de Decker. You don’t have to say that. It’s inappropriate and not very respectful.” He elaborated: “At the Grand Slam [November 2024], Littler actually needed the crowd to beat de Decker. And then to make comments like that about someone who won a tournament just last year—putting him down like that, I don’t like it. But at the same time, it adds a bit of spice. Hopefully de Decker will take that personally and go into their next match with fire in his belly.”
Van der Voort, who has competed against both, acknowledged Littler’s brilliance: “There’s no shame in de Decker losing heavily to Littler. He’s just unbelievably good right now.” The podcast clip, uploaded on October 10, has amassed 500,000 views on YouTube, fueling a polarized discussion. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have been divided, with #LittlerDeDecker trending with 200,000 mentions: “Luke’s honest, but timing’s off—Mike’s been through hell,” versus “It’s darts—banter’s part of it. Mike’s tough, he’ll fire back.”
Littler’s Response: “No Disrespect Meant”
Littler addressed the uproar on Instagram Stories on October 10, hours after his 3-2 quarterfinal win over Gerwyn Price: “Mike’s a top player—respect always. Words got twisted, but no disrespect meant. Darts is tough; we all grind.” The post, viewed 800,000 times, drew a gracious reply from de Decker: “All good, Luke—great game. See you on the oche.” Littler’s history of sportsmanship, such as his “Fair play to Beau” defense of Greaves against a troll after her Youth Worlds upset on October 13, helped mitigate the damage, but the incident highlights his learning curve at 18.
The Bigger Picture: Darts’ Banter Culture vs. Sensitivity
Littler’s “boring” remark fits darts’ playful banter culture—think Price’s mind games or Humphries’ “cool hand” jabs—but de Decker’s grief adds gravity. The Belgian’s 2024 Grand Prix win was inspirational amid illness; his 2025 has been modest (No. 15, one title). “Luke’s a kid—chalk it up to youth,” Wayne Mardle said on Sky Sports. “But words stick in this game.” Social media reactions were split: “Van der Voort’s right—disrespectful to Mike” (100k likes) vs. “Luke’s real—darts needs spice” (80k retweets). Stephen Bunting, a Grand Prix quarterfinalist, defended Littler: “His heart’s gold—check his MND donation.”
Littler’s 2025: Dominance Amid Scrutiny
Littler’s year is legendary: Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), and Players Championship 32 (£15k), for £1.67M in prizes and £2.5M+ net worth. His PCOM at 34th (£26,500) after PC32 secures Minehead (£600k event, November 21-23), where he eyes another £120,000. Girlfriend Faith Millar’s support—viral hugs at Grand Prix and Youth finals—keeps him grounded. “Faith’s my rock,” he said.
As Littler faces Humphries in semis (October 11), the “inappropriate” tag fades—respect, like darts, is earned on the board. The Nuke’s fire burns bright; humility’s his next target.
