**Luke Littler Explains Storming Off Stage After Tense Gerwyn Price Moment in 2025 Premier League Darts Semi-Final**
During the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs semi-final at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025, Luke Littler stormed off stage after a tense moment when Gerwyn Price took a 6-4 lead, a reaction driven by nerves and frustration. The 18-year-old, who rallied to win 10-6 and advance to the final against Luke Humphries, later explained his actions, revealing how he used the break to refocus and stage a comeback, despite earlier crowd disruptions and an emotional final loss.
**The Tense Moment and Storming Off**
In the best-of-19-leg semi-final, Littler struggled early, with Price capitalizing on his missed doubles to lead 6-4 at the mid-match break, sealed by a D5 finish. Frustrated, Littler immediately left the stage, a move described by Express.co.uk as storming off due to the match’s intensity. “As soon as Gez hit the double five to go 6-4 up, I went off stage, I needed to get myself up for it,” Littler told Sky Sports. He admitted to being “very nervous” in the first six legs, a rare display of vulnerability for the usually composed “Nuke.” The crowd’s energy, which included booing Price and throwing a foam finger at Littler pre-match, added to the tension, per Daily Star.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2061889/luke-littler-premier-league-darts-gerwyn-price)[](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/darts/luke-littler-gerwyn-price-darts-35308781)
**Regaining Focus and Comeback**
Littler used the break to cool down, a tactic he credited for his turnaround. “I sat down, had a drink, and cooled myself down. I said to myself, ‘You know you can do it, you love to come on after the break,’” he explained, per Express.co.uk. Post-break, he broke Price’s throw three times, hitting a stunning 128 checkout and back-to-back 180s, finishing with a 104.00 average to Price’s 98.50. “Littler just demolished Price in that second session,” Sky Sports noted, with a D16 sealing the 10-6 win. His ability to reset, despite Price’s 7-2 seasonal edge, showcased mental resilience, though Price’s earlier 132 checkout (bull, bull, D16) had tested him.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2061889/luke-littler-premier-league-darts-gerwyn-price)[](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/darts/2025/05/29/premier-league-darts-final-live-score-luke-littler/)
**Context of the Match and Final**
Littler’s semi-final nerves followed a season of dominance, topping the league with a record 45 points and six nightly wins, including a Cardiff nine-darter. However, the O2 final saw him lose 11-8 to Humphries, whose 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) shifted momentum after Littler’s uncharacteristic draft discussion at 5-5, per @DExpress_Sport. Tearful post-match, Littler said, “I’m glad the Premier League’s over,” reflecting the 17-week toll, per Sky Sports. The earlier crowd incident—Littler dodging another thrown object—further intensified the night, yet he praised the fans: “This crowd, unbelievable, they got me over the line.”[](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/darts/2025/05/29/premier-league-darts-final-live-score-luke-littler/)
**Littler’s History with Price**
Price has been Littler’s “bogeyman,” winning six of their last eight encounters, including a 6-3 Nottingham final with a 94.10 average to Littler’s 103.39, per BBC Sport. Littler admitted Price’s mental edge, saying, “I can’t get in his head,” per Sky Sports. His Dublin loss to Price, where he threw his darts case in frustration, showed similar emotional outbursts, per GB News. Yet, Littler’s O2 comeback proved his growth, leveraging his 2024 Premier League title experience.[](https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13336799/luke-littler-premier-league-leader-admits-he-cant-get-in-the-head-of-rival-gerwyn-price-after-latest-win-in-newcastle)[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/cx2g04dn19eo)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/darts/luke-littler-gerwyn-price-premier-league-defeat)
**Parallels in Sports**
Littler’s stage exit mirrors Novak Djokovic’s 2025 French Open frustration, apologizing for crowd gestures while his physio faced emergency surgery. Like Katie Boulter consoling Alex de Minaur after his “not normal” schedule rant, Faith Millar’s support for Littler, and Fallon Sherrock’s health-driven resolve, Littler’s reset reflects athletes overcoming pressure. Humphries’ draft frustration, shaking his head, and Alexander Zverev’s watch wager echo the high-stakes grit, akin to Littler’s emotional 2024 tears for a friend’s late father.
**Conclusion**
Luke Littler stormed off stage after Gerwyn Price’s 6-4 lead in the 2025 Premier League Darts semi-final on May 29, 2025, due to nerves and frustration, per Express.co.uk. He explained cooling down during the break, leading to a 10-6 win with a 104.00 average, though he lost the final 11-8 to Humphries. His resilience, like Djokovic, Boulter, de Minaur, Sherrock, Price, and Zverev’s, shines despite crowd chaos and emotional toll. Littler and Humphries team up for the World Cup of Darts next, live on Sky Sports.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2061889/luke-littler-premier-league-darts-gerwyn-price)
