Jeff Stelling believes Luke Littler needs some guidance after the 18-year-old hit back at booing fans following his World Darts Championship win over Rob Cross on Monday night.
Littler beat Cross 4-2 as he continues his bid to win back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace.
However, it was his behaviour after the game that sparked controversy.
After being the subject of boos from the crowd, Littler decided to gloat that the spectators pay for his prize money.
"I'm not bothered, really I'm not bothered," he told Sky Sports when quizzed on his hostile reception.
"Can I just say one thing - you guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money.
"So thank you, thank you for my money, thank you for booing me! Come on!"
Now, speaking on talkSPORT, Jeff Stelling has provided his verdict - with the veteran broadcaster expressing a belief that somebody needs to sit down with Littler and provide him with guidance.
Luke Littler has been in stunning form in 2025 | PA
Jeff Stelling believes Luke Littler needs some guidance after the 18-year-old hit back at booing fans following his World Darts Championship win over Rob Cross on Monday night
|GETTY
"It bothers him. The problem is he's 18 and he needs some advice because he got the response wrong - completely wrong," he said.
“Something like that happens and he's asked by the [interviewer about it].
"He should just be saying: 'Great crowd, loved it. They're just having a bit of fun. We've had a great night. Don't mind it at all'.
"Just deflect back at them. Not take them on, because there's a lot of them. There's only one of him.”
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Luke Littler's response to those in Ally Pally booing him 👀 pic.twitter.com/QHszE1z4ua
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 29, 2025
Stelling did, however, provide some defence of Littler - insisting that British culture means heroes, and villains, can be made.
“That's the thing that we have isn't it? We build our stars up to knock them down," he said.
“And he is so good and he sometimes, I don't think it's intentional, he does exude a sort of arrogance because he knows he's so good, and that's fine."
Meanwhile, Jamie O'Hara also defended Littler and suggested fans were wrong to boo him during his match with Cross.
"I don't think they should boo him. Why are we booing the greatest thing to happen to darts in the last decade?" he said.
“Look, I get what he said is wrong. I understand what he said. He probably shouldn't have said that.
“And it's after the game, high emotions. He's played a tough match against Rob Cross. He's a good player and he's beaten him.
Luke Littler embraced Rob Cross following his win at the World Darts Championship | PA“And he's getting booed. And I'm like: ‘’Hold on a minute. The kid's 18'.
“He's going to make mistakes. He isn't perfect. He's a young lad. He's a normal lad. He's had a nibble, and he's had a big nibble, but if he plays again in the quarter finals coming up.
“If you boo him, you're an idiot. He's the greatest thing [to happen to darts].
“We're all watching darts from Luke Littler.
"No one really else, apart from Luke Humphries, the only thing we're enjoying watching is Luke Littler and how good he is. Why are you booing him?”
Littler returns to action on New Year's Day, with the darts star set to face Krzysztof Ratajski.