Defending PDC World Darts Champion Luke Littler survived a tense and emotionally charged fourth-round clash at the 2025 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 victory over former world champion Rob Cross. The 18-year-old, widely regarded as one of the sport’s brightest talents, faced sustained booing from sections of the crowd throughout the match, an unusual reception for a reigning champion competing on home soil.
Nicknamed “The Nuke,” Littler showed great bottle under pressure, producing a high-quality performance despite the hostile atmosphere. He finished the contest with an average of nearly 107, officially recorded at 106.58, and struck 17 maximum 180s. Even when missed doubles triggered loud reactions from the stands, Littler kept his composure, maintained his scoring power and did enough at the crucial moments to pull clear.
The atmosphere inside Alexandra Palace was noticeably frosty, with many supporters backing Cross and reacting sharply to Littler’s on-stage manner. After sealing victory, Littler addressed the crowd directly during his interview, responding to the boos with a mixture of defiance and dry humour. “You guys pay for tickets and you’re paying for my prize money. So thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me,” he said, a comment that drew a mixed response from the audience.
From a sporting perspective, the statistics underlined Littler’s growing maturity on the biggest stage. His scoring consistency and ability to hit key trebles allowed him to control long spells of the match, even when momentum threatened to swing. Cross, a former world champion, applied pressure but was unable to match Littler’s sustained scoring across the sets.
The crowd reaction has reignited debate about fan behaviour at major darts events, particularly when young players rise quickly to the top of the sport. Many observers praised Littler’s focus and mental strength, noting that his performance level barely dipped despite the distractions.
Littler will now return to the Alexandra Palace stage on New Year’s Day, when he plays his quarter-final as he continues his bid to defend the world title. For a British audience, the New Year clash adds extra significance, with the teenager aiming to begin 2025 by moving one step closer to back-to-back PDC World Darts Championship crowns.
