Luke Littler’s early exit from Premier League Darts Night Nine in Berlin last Thursday came as a surprise to many. Falling in the quarter-finals to Chris Dobey, Littler’s lackluster performance has sparked discussion—not just about his form, but also about how the crowd may have played a role.
On the latest episode of Darts Draait Door, former pro Vincent van der Voort weighed in candidly.
“He just had one of those nights where he wasn’t feeling it,” Van der Voort said. “But with Luke, it’s hard to tell. The last time he looked that disinterested, he went on to average 112 and destroy the field.”
In Berlin, Littler was met with loud boos from the German fans—something that appeared to visibly frustrate the 18-year-old.
“It almost seemed like he didn’t want to give the crowd the satisfaction of seeing him play twice,” Van der Voort continued. “You could clearly see the irritation after the match.”
Van der Voort noted the contrast in crowd reactions depending on the venue.
“It’s interesting how he’s either loved or booed, depending on where he plays. This Thursday, it’s Manchester—his hometown—unless the arena’s full of Man City fans,” he joked, referring to Littler’s support for Manchester United.
Despite the criticism, Van der Voort reminded listeners of Littler’s youth and potential.
“He’s still just 18. You can’t expect consistency every week. Sure, there are things people don’t like about his behavior, but overall, he’s performing at an incredibly high level.”
On a lighter note, Van der Voort responded to Nathan Aspinall’s recent tongue-in-cheek comment that Littler, now of legal age, should start drinking.
“That’d save him a fortune!” Van der Voort laughed. “But seriously, let him stay sober and make smart choices.”
