Darts star tells Luke Littler boo boys to ‘sort their heads out’ in furious defence of world champion

NATHAN ASPINALL has blasted fans for booing Luke Littler, insisting critics “need to sort their heads out”.

The world No.14 has jumped to the defence of his close friend after sections of the crowd turned on The Nuke during parts of this year’s Premier League campaign.

Littler, 19, has answered the criticism in emphatic style by reeling off three consecutive nightly victories and is now chasing a record-breaking seventh win in Birmingham on Thursday night.

Speaking on the Double Tops podcast, Nathan Aspinall praised the teenage star for the way he has handled the intense spotlight since becoming world champion.

He said: “We had the same manager and I saw first-hand everything he did with the media and other bits after he won the World Championship.

“I can tell you that full-time seasoned pros who had been in the game for 10 years or longer couldn’t have done what he did.

“There’s so much pressure on him from so many different people and the stuff he’s done, like presenting the Brit Awards, is genuinely unheard of for darts. He’s just embraced it.”

Aspinall also hit out at supporters who have jeered Littler despite the impact he has had on the sport’s popularity.

He added: “I was doing an exhibition with him in Scotland last weekend and I said a few words on the mic.

“I basically said that this is the kid who has got all of your kids into darts and all of a sudden everyone has forgotten that.

“Those booing him need to sort their heads out because Luke needs the respect he deserves.”

The Stockport ace believes Littler has become the face of modern darts and admits there are aspects of the teenager’s game that leave fellow professionals stunned.

“I’m really good mates with Luke but there is some stuff he can do that I can’t,” Aspinall continued.

“He’s the flagbearer for darts and I think he deserves a lot more credit than he actually gets.

“He doesn’t care. People say he doesn’t practise and he genuinely doesn’t at all. I don’t know how he does it because most of us need to practise before we play.

“Luke literally will throw 12 darts, go on stage and average 115. I couldn’t do that if I practised for five hours.”

Aspinall also opened up on missing out on a place in the 2026 Premier League line-up, revealing he was told his ranking was not high enough.

He said: “I was told my ranking was too low. I was 13th in the rankings at the time and the PDC didn’t think that was high enough.

“In all honesty, last year I didn’t think I deserved to get in the Premier League but this year I did.

“I know my ranking was slightly low but apart from Littler I think I made the most finals of any player on the tour.

“I did feel hard done by this year, I really did, but it’s swings and roundabouts, isn’t it?

“I didn’t think I should have been in the tournament 12 months ago and I got to the semis.”

Despite the disappointment, Aspinall admits stepping away from the weekly pressure of the Premier League has actually helped him.

“I’d like to think I’ll be back in it next year,” he added.

“It’s done me the world of good not being in it this year for sure.

“I love the Premier League but it’s tough — 17 weeks of being constantly under the spotlight takes its toll and it’s been nice to step away from that.”

The former major winner also gave a brutally honest insight into his motivation in darts, admitting financial security means more to him than silverware.

“I don’t care about trophies,” Aspinall said.

“I do this game because it’s my job and I don’t ever want my kids or me to have to worry about money.

“Of course I want to win tournaments and I’ll be buzzing to add another trophy to my cabinet but, for me, it’s very much a case of trying to make as much money as I possibly can over the next ten years.”