Luke Littler’s Cheeky Jab at Phil Taylor’s Darts After Flopping the talkSPORT Challenge
Luke “The Nuke” Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation who’s been dismantling pros left and right, took a playful swing at darts legend Phil Taylor’s equipment during a recent talkSPORT appearance. The segment, part of talkSPORT’s ongoing “Darts Challenge” series, saw Littler attempting to showcase his skills with Taylor’s iconic old-school darts—famously nicknamed “The Power’s arrows.” But things didn’t go to plan for the youngster, leading to a hilarious on-air grumble that had listeners in stitches.
The Setup: Taylor’s Darts vs. Littler’s Gripes
On the October 30, 2025, edition of talkSPORT’s *Drive* show, hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent roped in Littler for a lighthearted challenge ahead of the World Grand Prix. The twist? Littler had to throw with Taylor’s vintage Winmau blades—the same ones that powered 16 world titles—from a regulation oche. Littler, fresh off a Premier League win in Birmingham, was all smiles at first, quipping, “Alright, let’s see if these relics still got it.” But after a string of wayward darts (including one that clattered off the board entirely), the frustration bubbled over.
Visibly irked, Littler tossed the set down and deadpanned to the hosts: “These darts are ancient—Phil’s probably still using the glue from the ’90s! No wonder he retired; they’d struggle in today’s game. Mine are tuned for 180s, not museum pieces.” The studio erupted in laughter, with Goldstein firing back, “Oi, Nuke, that’s fighting talk—Taylor’s lot are legends, not relics!” Littler doubled down with a grin: “Legends? They feel like they’re made of wood from his garden shed. If prime Phil chucked these now, he’d be scraping top 64.”
Why It Went Viral: Banter with a Side of Shade
The clip exploded across social media, amassing over 2 million views on talkSPORT’s TikTok and X accounts within hours. Fans hailed it as “peak Littler banter,” with replies flooding in like “Nuke calling out The Power’s gear—shots fired! 😂” and “Taylor’s darts: 16 worlds, 0 excuses.” It’s classic Littler: the kid who trolled Liverpool fans after United’s win now turning his charm (and subtle shade) on darts royalty. Taylor, ever the good sport, hasn’t responded yet—but sources close to the 64-year-old say he’s “chuckling” and plotting a comeback throwdown.
This isn’t the first time the pair have traded friendly barbs. Back in April, Littler cheekily claimed a peak Taylor “would struggle” in the modern PDC circuit, citing the field’s depth and speed. Taylor fired back on talkSPORT, warning the teen it’d take “25 years of dedication” to chase his records. Their chemistry peaked in a viral April Fools’ Jenga “match” (teased as a darts clash by Target Darts), where Littler edged Taylor—prompting “The Power” to call him a “little b*****d” affectionately.
The Bigger Picture: Littler’s Form and Taylor’s Legacy
Despite the “fail,” Littler aced the challenge’s second half with his own darts, nailing a 170 checkout that left Bent speechless. It’s a minor blip for a year that’s seen him bag £1.2 million in winnings, including the World Championship and Grand Slam. As for Taylor’s darts? They’re collector’s items now, but Littler’s complaint taps into a real debate: has equipment evolution (lighter shafts, tungsten tweaks) made old gear obsolete? Pros like Michael van Gerwen swear by consistency over tech, but Littler’s point landed—modern setups prioritize precision in a hyper-competitive era.
If this sparks an exhibition rematch (rumored for Ally Pally next month), expect fireworks. Until then, it’s just another chapter in Littler’s rise: turning a flubbed throw into meme gold. What’s next—Littler vs. Taylor’s Jenga revenge? Stay tuned; the oche’s never dull with these two.
