Luke Littler Bursts Out Laughing as Gerwyn Price’s World Grand Prix Defense Ends in Ridiculous Fashion
The 2025 World Grand Prix delivered one of its most chaotic and comical moments yet on October 10, when Luke Littler couldn’t contain his laughter after Gerwyn Price’s quarterfinal exit took a turn for the absurd. The 18-year-old world No. 2 sealed a 3-2 sets victory over the Welshman in a five-set epic at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, but it was Price’s final throw—a wayward dart that ricocheted off the wire and bounced back into his hand—that had Littler in stitches, bursting out laughing as the 40-year-old’s title defense imploded in farcical style. The £25,000 win propels Littler into the semifinals against Luke Humphries, keeping his £120,000 dream alive in the £600,000 double-in/double-out event.
The Ridiculous Ending: Price’s Dart Backfires in Epic Fashion
The match, a rematch of their 2024 Grand Slam of Darts final (Littler won 16-7), was a five-set rollercoaster that showcased both players’ A-games. Price, the 2020 Grand Prix champion who had vowed to “put Littler under pressure” and boasted he was “not scared of anybody,” started hot, taking the second set 3-2 after Littler’s blistering 3-1 opener (101.23 average). The Welshman leveled at 2-2 with a 3-1 fourth set, hitting four 180s and a 140-finish to force a decider.
But Set 5 turned into comedy gold. Leading 2-1 in legs, Price needed 40 for the match but fired a dart at D20 that clipped the wire, ricocheted straight back, and landed in his hand mid-throw—drawing gasps and chuckles from the 3,000-strong crowd. The “ridiculous” mishap, captured on Sky Sports and going viral with 2 million views on X, broke the tension as Littler burst out laughing from the oche. Price, visibly flustered, missed the double, allowing Littler to pounce with a 121 checkout on D18 for the 3-2 clincher. “That dart coming back? I couldn’t help it—pure comedy,” Littler quipped post-match. Price, gracious in defeat, joked: “The board fought back today—next time, it’s personal.”
Littler’s stats were elite: 101.23 average, six 180s, and 75% double-in success (12/16), outpacing Price’s 99.87 and 60% doubles. The win evens their head-to-head at 3-3, with Littler now 3-0 in majors.
Price’s Defense Falters: From Mind Games to Mishaps
Price’s pre-match bravado—”If my A-game is there, I win”—rang hollow as the match highlighted his doubling woes (missing 12 of 20 attempts). His eight straight legs in the Rock rout (3-0 second round, 109.98 average) suggested form, but Littler’s pressure exposed cracks. “Gerwyn’s a warrior, but that ricochet? Priceless,” Littler told Sky Sports, laughing again. Price, now 2-3 lifetime against Littler, reflected: “I had him, but the board had other ideas. Fair play to Luke—he’s the man.”
The “ridiculous ending” trended on X with #PriceRicochet, fans memeing the dart’s return as “darts’ boomerang.” Wayne Mardle called it “the funniest finish since MvG’s phone call,” while Paul Nicholson noted: “Price’s mind games backfired—Littler’s too cool for that.”
Littler’s Momentum: Semifinal Showdown Awaits
Littler’s £25,000 payday boosts his PCOM to 48th (£61,500), easing Minehead risks. Now, he faces Humphries in the semis—a rematch of their 2025 Worlds final (Littler won 7-4). “Luke vs. Luke again? Darts gold,” Humphries joked pre-event. With his self-managed focus post-ZXF split, Littler’s laughing his way to glory—the £120,000 prize within reach.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Moment | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 121 checkout to win Set 5 | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | Ricochet D20 miss in final leg | Loser (2-3 sets) |
As Littler eyes his fourth major of 2025, Price’s “ridiculous” exit—and Littler’s laughter—proves the Nuke’s unbreakable. Darts just got funnier—and fiercer.
