Luke Littler has been warned his relationship with darts crowds could eventually become a serious problem ahead of Thursday’s Premier League Finals Night at The O2 Arena.
The teenage superstar heads into the showpiece event as the overwhelming favourite after another remarkable season that has seen him continue to dominate the sport following his world championship triumph.
But despite his astonishing rise, Littler has increasingly become a target for boos from sections of crowds around the country as frustration grows over his relentless success.
The 19-year-old will attempt to reclaim the Premier League title in London after losing last year’s final to Luke Humphries.
Littler faces Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, with either Humphries or Jonny Clayton awaiting the winner in the final as players battle for the £350,000 top prize.
However, former Dutch darts star Vincent van der Voort believes the Warrington-born sensation may once again face a hostile reception from parts of the crowd during Finals Night.
Van der Voort admitted Littler’s dominance has naturally made him a divisive figure among supporters, though he also suggested some of the teenager’s own actions have fuelled the backlash.
“We don't like somebody who wins everything,” Van der Voort told the Daily Star.
Luke Littler has been warned his relationship with darts crowds could eventually become a serious problem ahead of Thursday’s Premier League Finals Night at The O2 Arena
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Luke Littler is the favourite to secure Premier League glory
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“But sometimes he doesn't help himself as well.
“He's been on that stage from 16-years-old, it's very difficult as well to know what's good and what's not.”
Littler has regularly responded to hostile crowds in recent months by gesturing towards supporters or embracing the pantomime atmosphere on stage.
The youngster has also become involved in several public spats with fellow players since bursting onto the professional circuit.
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Five things to know about darts star Luke Littler | GB NEWS/GETTYVan der Voort warned that while Littler is currently coping comfortably with the pressure, things could become more difficult if results begin turning against him.
“But if you win everything, you think you can do whatever you want,” he continued.
“But the moment you start losing and the crowd is still against you all the time, ask Gerwyn Price, ask Paul Nicholson, ask other players, then it will get to you.
“And it will hurt you.
“As long as you win, they can't hurt you.”
Despite the criticism, Littler’s form remains extraordinary.
The reigning world champion has swept aside many of the sport’s biggest names over the past two years and established himself as the dominant force in darts before even turning 20.
Van der Voort admitted Littler appears mentally strong enough to handle the situation for now, even while acknowledging some of the crowd hostility visibly frustrates him during matches.
Luke Littler has a strained relationship with a section of darts fans
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“Every boo, everything, he just still wins matches,” he said.
However, the former professional insisted he would advise Littler to slightly soften his public image if he were part of the teenager’s inner circle.
“I don't think this gets the best out of him because you can see sometimes he's annoyed,” Van der Voort explained.
“He loses matches out of it.
“In the long run, it's not the best situation you can be in when the crowd is always against you.”
Van der Voort stressed he would not want Littler to completely change his personality but believes small adjustments could improve how he is perceived by fans.
“If I were involved with him, then I would talk to him 100 per cent,” he said.
“You don't have to change your personality. You don't have to be a different guy than you are, but with some interviews and some things you say, you can just show your other side and you'd be more likeable.”