Luke Littler provoked an angry response from the Alexandra Palace crowd with a comment after his 4-2 victory over Rob Cross at the PDC World Darts Championship.
2024/25 PDC world champion Littler, 18, advanced to the quarter-finals, averaging 106.08 in his 4-2 win against 2018 winner Cross, 35, on Monday (December 29).
The crowd appeared to be backing Cross throughout the game, which appeared to annoy the teenager during the contest before Littler showed his class by taking out three of four checkouts after his opponent had earlier levelled at 1-1.
Littler also secured the fourth set before Cross kept his hopes alive by taking the fifth with a bullseye finish.
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However, the 17th seed was broken as Littler claimed the sixth and final set at an average of 117 to confirm his win and progression to the last eight as he looks to retain his title and pick up the record £1 million winners’ prize pot.
Littler will face Luke Woodhouse, who is the 25th seed, or Polish player Krzysztof Ratajski, in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day (January 1).
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And despite winning the match, Littler could not help but aim a dig back at the boisterous crowd who had booed him throughout his contest against Cross.
Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after his triumph, a reporter asked the teenager how he was feeling and what was going through his head as he faced the “hostile” crowd.
Littler replied: "I'm not bothered [by the booing]. Really not bothered. Can I just say one thing? You guys pay for tickets, and you pay for my prize, so thanks for booing me.
"No-one wanted me to win, but I proved them wrong yet again.
"It's not in reach just yet. You've got to get to the final. I'll enjoy two days off, then I'll be back on New Year's Day. I spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in London, so we'll be doing that again."
As expected, more boos were aimed at Littler following his comment, while several fans also offered their thoughts on social media.
One said: “I’m sorry, but I love this guy.”
Another added: “Brilliant that. It’s like booing Messi. Morons.”
While a third claimed: “Love Luke - but let himself down here!!”
As a fourth commented: “Did ... did ... DID LUKE LITTLER JUST TURN HEEL??
“Darts is the gift that keeps on giving.”
The fourth-round action will continue on Tuesday (December 30) with Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen all taking to the oche.
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Luke Davies