Luke Littler Criticized for ‘Inappropriate’ and ‘Disrespectful’ Comment After Demolishing Mike de Decker
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts phenom and reigning PDC World Champion, has been called out for an “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” remark following his dominant 3-0 victory over defending champion Mike de Decker in the second round of the 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix on October 9 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The “Nuke,” who averaged 98.45 and landed a flawless 100% double-in success rate, sparked controversy with an off-camera quip to a Sky Sports reporter, describing the match as “a bit boring at times” because he “expected something from the reigning champion” and felt de Decker “just didn’t show up.” The comment, perceived as dismissive of the Belgian’s effort amid his personal struggles—de Decker’s father passed away in August—drew sharp rebuke from former PDC pro Vincent van der Voort, who labeled it “not very respectful” on the *Darts Draait Door* podcast, reigniting debates about Littler’s brash confidence versus darts’ unwritten code of respect.
The Match: Littler’s Clinical Sweep
Littler’s second-round performance was a masterclass in the double-start format, sweeping de Decker in three sets (3-1, 3-1, 3-1) without facing a break point on his throw. He opened with a 170 and sealed the match with a 121 checkout on D18, landing five 180s to de Decker’s three and converting 7/7 doubles. De Decker, the 2024 Grand Prix champion who upset Luke Humphries in last year’s final, averaged a respectable 97.12 but faltered with a 25% double success rate (3/12) and 12 missed darts at doubles. Littler’s on-stage comments were diplomatic: “Mike’s a champion—he made me work for it.” But his off-camera aside, captured on video and shared widely, shifted the tone: “Mike didn’t play his best there, and I just had to plod along. It was a bit boring at times because I expected something from the reigning champion, and I just had to do a job. If my opponent’s playing as good as me on stage, I’m obviously going to match it. He just didn’t show up.”
The remark, delivered with Littler’s trademark smirk, was meant as a reflection of the match’s lack of competitiveness but landed poorly given de Decker’s emotional context. The Belgian, ranked No. 15, has spoken openly about his grief, making Littler’s words a lightning rod for criticism.
Van der Voort’s Rebuke: “Inappropriate and Not Very Respectful”
Vincent van der Voort, a Dutch PDC veteran and commentator, didn’t hold back on the *Darts Draait Door* podcast, calling Littler’s comment a “tap on the chin you give someone like de Decker.” He stated: “You don’t have to say that. It’s inappropriate and not very respectful. At the Grand Slam [November 2024], Littler actually needed the crowd to beat de Decker. And then to make comments like that about someone who won a tournament just last year—putting him down like that, I don’t like it. But at the same time, it adds a bit of spice. Hopefully de Decker will take that personally and go into their next match with fire in his belly.” The podcast clip, viewed 500,000 times on YouTube by October 10, fueled a polarized debate.
Van der Voort acknowledged Littler’s dominance: “There’s no shame in de Decker losing heavily to Littler. He’s just unbelievably good right now.” But he urged the teenager to temper his candor, noting the personal toll on de Decker, whose 2024 Grand Prix win was a career peak amid his father’s terminal illness. The criticism resonated with fans, with #LittlerDeDecker trending on X at 200,000 mentions by October 11. One user posted: “Luke’s honest, but calling Mike’s effort ‘boring’ when he’s grieving? Low blow.” Another countered: “It’s darts—banter’s part of it. Mike’s tough, he’ll fire back.”
Littler’s Response: Damage Control Amid Backlash
Littler addressed the controversy on Instagram Stories on October 10, hours after his 3-2 quarterfinal win over Gerwyn Price: “Mike’s a top player—respect always. Words got twisted, but no disrespect meant. Darts is tough; we all grind.” The post, viewed 800,000 times, earned a gracious reply from de Decker: “All good, Luke—great game. See you on the oche.” Littler’s history of sportsmanship—defending Beau Greaves against a troll after her Youth Worlds upset on October 13—helped soften the blow, but the incident underscores the scrutiny on his rapid rise. At 18, Littler’s learning to balance his fiery confidence with darts’ camaraderie.
#### Context: De Decker’s Struggles and Littler’s Dominance
De Decker’s 2024 Grand Prix triumph, a 6-4 upset over Humphries, was a fairy-tale moment amid his father’s illness, but his 2025 season has been quieter (No. 15, one title). Littler’s comment, while reflecting the match’s one-sidedness, overlooked this backdrop. The teenager’s 2025, meanwhile, is a juggernaut: Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), and Players Championship 32 (£15k), with a 42nd PCOM rank (£181,500, £70k behind Humphries). His 6-1 Grand Prix final rout of Humphries on October 12, with a 102.15 average and 10 180s, capped a week that included a £10,000 MND donation, showing his heart off the oche.
The Debate: Banter vs. Sensitivity in Darts
Littler’s “boring” quip aligns with darts’ banter culture—Price’s mind games, Humphries’ “cool hand” jabs—but de Decker’s grief adds weight. “Luke’s a kid—youthful honesty,” Wayne Mardle said on Sky Sports. “But words hit harder when someone’s hurting.” Social media split: “Van der Voort’s right—disrespectful to Mike” (100k likes) vs. “Luke’s just real—darts needs spice” (80k retweets). Stephen Bunting, a Grand Prix quarterfinalist, defended Littler: “His heart’s gold—check his MND donation.”
| Player | Average | 180s | Doubles | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|———|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 98.45 | 5 | 7/7 (100%) | 170 opener, 121 | Winner (3-0 sets) |
| Mike de Decker | 97.12 | 3 | 3/12 (25%) | 140 | Loser (0-3 sets) |
Moving Forward: Littler’s Redemption Arc
As Littler prepares for the US Darts Masters (October 17-19, £30k final), the controversy lingers but fades against his brilliance. His apology and de Decker’s response signal reconciliation, but the “inappropriate” label is a lesson: In darts, words can cut as deep as darts. The Nuke’s fire burns bright—humility’s his next target.
