LUKE LITTLER has been warned he “doesn’t help himself” as boos continue to follow him on the biggest stages in darts.
The Nuke has dominated this year’s Premier League campaign, finishing top of the table after matching his own record of SIX nightly victories.
The teenage sensation now heads into a blockbuster semi-final showdown with Gerwyn Price at the O2 on Thursday, aiming to keep alive his remarkable run of reaching the final in every Premier League appearance since bursting on to the scene in 2024.
But despite his success, the world No.1 has become a target for sections of the crowd, with whistles and jeers increasing since his on-stage clash with Gian van Veen during Night Nine.
Former pro Vincent van der Voort believes Littler’s reactions to fans can sometimes add fuel to the fire.
Speaking to Daily Star Sport, he said: “People don’t like someone who wins everything unless they’re a huge fan of them, but sometimes Luke doesn’t help himself either.
“He’s been on the big stage since he was 16, so it’s difficult for him to always know what’s right and wrong.
“I don’t know how good the people around him are, but sometimes you look at situations and think he could have handled them better.
“When you’re winning everything, you feel like you can do whatever you want. But once results stop going your way and the crowd is still against you, then it starts to hurt.
“Ask Gerwyn Price, ask Paul Nicholson, ask plenty of players — eventually it gets to you. As long as you keep winning, it doesn’t affect you as much.
“So maybe it could become a problem later on, but right now he’s coping with it well. No matter the boos or whistles, he still goes out and wins.”
Van der Voort also dismissed the suggestion that hostile crowds actually improve Littler’s performances.
He added: “I don’t think it brings the best out of him because you can see at times he gets annoyed, and sometimes he loses matches because of it.
“When he really wants to be there, he wins, but some nights affect him more than others. Long term, it’s not a good situation when the crowd is constantly against you.
“If I was involved with him, I’d definitely have a conversation with him. But I’m not, so if he wants to keep doing it and the crowd stays against him forever while he plays Michael every day, then it’s no problem for me!
“But if I was working with him, I’d tell him he doesn’t need to change who he is.
“He doesn’t need a different personality, but with certain interviews and comments, he could show another side of himself and become more likeable.”
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