Sky Sports pundit and darts legend Wayne Mardle warns Luke Littler after shock slump as ‘world stops’ over recent exits

Luke Littler will be “slightly bothered” by his recent performances after suffering two unexpected defeats, according to former professional darts player Wayne Mardle.

The world No.1 endured a disappointing first-round exit at the World Grand Prix, where he was beaten 2-1 by Luke Woodhouse in Leicester.

The 19-year-old managed an average of just 82.51, marking his lowest average across three appearances at the tournament.

His struggles came after another frustrating performance at the World Series of Darts Finals a week earlier, when Littler crashed out in the quarter-finals following a 10-4 defeat to Jonny Clayton. The teenager converted just four of his 21 attempts at double during the match.

The setbacks represent a rare dip in form for The Nuke, who had previously enjoyed an extraordinary run of six consecutive ranked major titles, stretching from the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts to the World Matchplay in July.

Given his remarkable success over the past year, Mardle believes Littler’s recent defeats should not come as a major surprise. However, he suggested that the manner of those losses could be a source of frustration for the reigning world champion.

Speaking on Tungsten Tales, Mardle said: “What he’s been doing is ridiculous. Losing shouldn’t seem ridiculous, but it’s gone all the other way. As in, he gets beat and the world stops, and everyone thinks that it’s been flipped on its head.

“He’s going to lose. The amount he’s been winning has been incredible. So, losing, I think, is just going to come.

“I’m not saying I expected him to lose because I did not. But I just think it’s one of those things, or two of those things.”

Mardle went on to explain that Littler’s performances, rather than the defeats themselves, would likely concern him the most.

“From my point of view, for him, it’s the way he’s lost. He didn’t play well at all against Luke Woodhouse. Luke said himself it was a scrappy game,” he added.

Despite the disappointing results, Mardle was surprised to see Littler enter the World Youth Championship, although he acknowledged that the decision was entirely the teenager’s to make.

“From my point of view, he’ll be slightly bothered by the performances, but then he goes and enters the World Youth Championship, which I don’t get, but it’s entirely up to him!

“We know what he’s like with time management and wanting to get fresh. But maybe he just wants to get back on the winning train. Back on that winning feeling, competing round after round. If he does that and wins, good luck to him.”

Littler returned to competitive action on Monday at the World Youth Championship, hoping to get back to winning ways.

However, his campaign ended in disappointment after Cam Crabtree edged him out 6-5 in a closely contested semi-final.

The result means the teenage sensation has suffered three defeats across his recent appearances, leaving questions about his current form as he looks to rediscover the consistency that helped him dominate the sport’s biggest stages.

Nevertheless, Littler’s extraordinary achievements mean a short spell of disappointing results is unlikely to change his status as one of the leading forces in professional darts.