Luke Littler has admitted he's 'gutted' following his defeat to James Wade at the European Championship, with that loss depriving him of the chance to become world No 1.
The teenager lost 10-7, with Wade securing his first televised victory over the 18-year-old to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Littler had gone into the clash as the overwhelming favourite to reign supreme given his stunning displays at the oche this year.
Yet Wade punished costly missed doubles to secure victory, with 'The Machine' now dreaming of going all the way.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The result means Littler's bid to usurp Luke Humphries and become world No 1 is, for the time being, on hold.
And the youngster admitted following the showdown that he was 'gutted', though insisted he'd try and bounce back as quickly as possible.
"Had my chances so gutted I didn’t take them. Thanks germany crowd was good to me, heading home but back to it next week," he wrote on X.
Luke Littler has admitted he's 'gutted' following his defeat to James Wade at the European Championship, with that loss depriving him of the chance to become world No 1
|GETTY
Fans were quick to support Littler following his defeat, with many tipping him to respond in future events.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't your game. But I'm so proud of how you played throughout the entire year. And see? We Germans aren't so bad after all. ;) On to the next tournament!" said one supporter.
A second wrote: "Unlucky today, bro. James doing James things but that's darts. Fire the Xbox up and relax."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Luke Littler has been in stunning form in 2025
|PA
Another said: "Unlucky….come back stronger!"
And a fourth stated: "Unlucky, head up and go again, you’ve got years ahead of you to get to number 1!"
Wade, meanwhile, expressed his delight after overcoming Littler - with the 42-year-old pleased with how he performed.
Had my chances so gutted I didn’t take them. thanks germany crowd was good to me, heading home but back to it next week🎯 pic.twitter.com/7eBYpRTkoV
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) October 25, 2025
"I don't think Luke played very well in comparison. I should have run away with it a little bit more than I did," he told ITV.
"I'm not lucky actually, I played better than him there and it's a positive to move forwards."
Humphries, meanwhile, managed to produce a fine comeback to get the better of Cameron Menzies and progress to the last eight.
James Wade was too strong for Luke Littler on Saturday night
| GETTYThe 30-year-old reacted to his victory by saying: "I'm proud of the performance but more proud of the way I held myself in moments there when I felt frustrated.
"I was trying to hold myself together - very frustrating moments - but I did. The way I came back, I'm quite proud of that. That's a really good performance.
"When you're winning games when you're really under the cosh and things are going against you it's quite pleasing for myself. I'm really pleased with that."
Humphries also admitted to being distracted on stage.
"I don't think it was on purpose. It wasn't something doing something on purpose but it was getting to me because it was happening," he added.
"A few things did happen but I won and that's all that mattered. Cameron is a fantastic player when he's on song and in full flow. I had to work hard to stay with him."