ITV forced to apologise over darts fans’ rude Keir Starmer chant as Luke Littler won UK Open and £120,000 prize

ITV was forced to issue an on-air apology during coverage of the UK Open Darts Championship final after crowd chants containing foul language were picked up on the broadcast from Butlin’s Minehead Resort.

During the second session of Sunday’s final between Luke Littler and James Wade, sections of the crowd could be heard chanting an offensive song referencing Keir Starmer, prompting the broadcaster to apologise to viewers.

Despite the distraction, Littler held his nerve to claim an 11–7 victory over Wade and successfully defend the title he won last year. While the teenager triumphed again, the contest proved far more competitive than the 11–2 victory he recorded in the previous year’s final.

Before Littler, the last player to successfully retain the UK Open title was Michael van Gerwen, who won back-to-back editions in 2015 and 2016. Prior to that, only Phil Taylor (2009 and 2010) and Raymond van Barneveld (2006 and 2007) had managed the same feat. Taylor remains the most successful player in the tournament’s history, winning the event five times in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Littler has now joined an elite list of players to lift the trophy more than once. Wade is also among that group, having previously won the title in 2008, 2011 and 2021.

Speaking after the match, Littler admitted it had not been his strongest tournament in terms of averages but praised his resilience throughout the competition.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I don’t think it’s been my best tournament average-wise, but I’ve dug deep in every match and managed to get over the line.

“That’s what James does — he’s always right there pushing you. I told him after the match that if he’d hit those double tops it could have been a completely different game. We always have great battles. I even joked with him, ‘back-to-back… you can get me next year.’”

The 19-year-old also revealed that matching Van Gerwen’s achievement of defending the title had been a personal target going into the event.

“Before the tournament I saw on social media that the last player to go back-to-back was Michael ten years ago — just like with the World Championship and Gary Anderson. That became my goal.

“But I always say you have to take it game by game. That’s exactly what we did, and now I’ve gone back-to-back.”

Littler also pointed to his recent return to form after winning his first night of the 2026 Premier League Darts earlier in the week.

“I don’t think many people expected me to come here and win,” he added. “I don’t think many expected me to win the Premier League night last week either. But I can say it now — I’m back to my best.”

Wade, meanwhile, was gracious in defeat when speaking on ITV4 after the match.

“Luke was just too good for me in the end,” he said. “Maybe I was a bit tired — I am a little older than him. I couldn’t quite find my best, but fair play to him. He does what he does and makes it look easy.

“I missed a few chances on doubles and nobody likes losing. But over the last 18 months I feel like I’ve been playing well.

“Luke is the best player in the world right now and, unfortunately for me, I’ve lost to him in three finals. I hate losing more than anyone, but today the better player won.”