“THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CRISIS” – DAN DAWSON BACKS LUKE LITTLER AFTER SHOCK DEFEATS
Luke Littler has spent much of 2026 making his rivals look ordinary, collecting major trophies and turning expectations into something almost ridiculous. But after a frustrating run of defeats, the darts superstar is facing a question he has rarely had to answer this year: is the world number one finally showing signs of vulnerability?
Darts commentator Dan Dawson is having none of the panic. While fans have every reason to be surprised by Littler’s recent results, Dawson believes the reaction has become excessive, arguing that a few defeats should not erase one of the greatest seasons the sport has witnessed.
And honestly, there is a strong argument behind his position. Littler has set such a high standard that anything short of another trophy can feel like a disappointment. That is the strange reality of becoming a superstar at just 19: winning is no longer enough unless you keep winning everything.
The latest results have certainly given his critics something to discuss, but Dawson believes the bigger picture matters far more than a temporary dip in form.
A Remarkable Winning Run Has Finally Come to an End
To understand why Dawson is so relaxed about the situation, you have to look at what Littler achieved before these defeats arrived.
After winning the Grand Slam of Darts in 2025, Littler went on an extraordinary run, winning six consecutive ranking majors. His collection included the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open, Premier League, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay.
That is an astonishing level of consistency in a sport where one missed double can change everything. Only Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor have produced longer winning streaks at PDC ranking majors, with seven and 15 consecutive titles respectively.
Littler had been chasing an even bigger achievement: winning every major title in a single calendar year. That ambition ended when Jonny Clayton beat him 10-4 in the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.
Then came the World Grand Prix, where Luke Woodhouse eliminated the defending champion in the opening round.
Suddenly, a player who had seemed almost untouchable had gone two major tournaments without lifting the trophy. For most professionals, that would be an ordinary part of the sport. For Littler, it became a major talking point.
Dawson believes that reaction says as much about the expectations surrounding Littler as it does about the player himself.
“There is plenty of stuff where he can bounce back with the Grand Slam coming up. There is a European Championship,” Dawson said.
He followed that by making his position clear: “I’m not even sure he has to bounce back. He lost a game. He lost a couple of games.”
That is the key distinction. Littler has not suddenly forgotten how to play darts. He has simply experienced something that every champion eventually encounters: defeat.
Woodhouse Deserves Credit for Exposing Littler’s Weaknesses
One thing that should not get lost in the discussion is Woodhouse’s performance at the World Grand Prix.
The defending champion entered the tournament as one of the favourites, but Woodhouse produced the kind of performance that can turn an ordinary evening into a career-defining moment.
Littler actually took the opening set 3-1, suggesting he might settle into the match and take control. Instead, Woodhouse fought back, won the second set in a decider and held his nerve to secure a 2-1 victory.
The match was particularly interesting because Littler struggled to maintain his scoring and finishing consistency. Woodhouse, meanwhile, capitalised on the opportunities that came his way.
Dawson was not shocked by the result.
“Absolutely not. I sort of predicted it, to be honest. I thought Luke Woodhouse had a real chance of beating him,” he said.
He continued: “Luke Woodhouse has been playing some brilliant stuff. What we saw in the previous big tournament, the World Series Finals, Littler looked a little bit off it.”
That assessment deserves attention. Sometimes, fans become so focused on a superstar’s disappointing performance that they forget the opponent also has a job to do.
Woodhouse did not need Littler to have a terrible night. He needed to stay competitive, take his chances and remain composed when the pressure increased. He did exactly that.
The defeat also showed Littler’s rivals that he can be challenged when his finishing is not at its sharpest. That is useful information for players preparing to face him in future tournaments.
However, one defeat does not mean everyone has suddenly discovered a guaranteed formula for beating him.
The World Grand Prix Is No Ordinary Test
The World Grand Prix also deserves some context because its format can create problems for even the most accomplished players.
Unlike conventional tournaments, competitors must begin and finish each leg with a double. That double-start requirement makes the competition particularly demanding, as players cannot simply rely on their usual scoring rhythm to build momentum.
Dawson explained the difficulty of the format when discussing Littler’s early exit.
“This is always a banana skin, the World Grand Prix. First round, double start is a nightmare format,” he said.
It is a fair point. A player can arrive in excellent form and still find himself struggling if he cannot establish control at the beginning of each leg.
That does not mean Littler’s performance should be ignored. Champions are judged on how they handle difficult conditions, and he will know that his World Grand Prix defence fell well short of expectations.
But the format helps explain why upsets happen. Littler is not immune to the same challenges faced by every other competitor, regardless of his ranking or trophy collection.
Dawson also pointed out that early exits have happened to the greatest players in darts history.
“It has happened to the very best players over the course of history. They have suffered early exits. That is what has happened to him here.”
The lesson is simple: losing early in a major tournament is disappointing, but it is not automatically evidence of a deeper problem.
Another Setback Against Cam Crabtree Raises Questions
Littler’s difficult spell continued when Cam Crabtree defeated him 6-5 in the semi-finals of the World Youth Championship.
The narrow loss denied Littler the opportunity to reach the final and added another unexpected result to his recent record. It also fuelled debate about whether the world number one was experiencing a more significant dip in confidence or form.
Three notable defeats in a relatively short period naturally attract attention. Even the most loyal supporters cannot pretend the results have been ideal.
Nevertheless, it is important to separate a genuine concern about recent performances from the suggestion that Littler is suddenly in crisis.
The teenager has already demonstrated that he can handle pressure on the biggest stages. His challenge now is to rediscover his rhythm, sharpen his finishing and continue competing at the level that made him so difficult to beat.
Crabtree’s victory should also be celebrated on its own merits. Littler’s reputation does not make him unbeatable, and opponents deserve recognition when they produce the performance needed to defeat him.
There is no shame in losing a close match. If anything, these results could give Littler useful lessons to take into the remaining tournaments of the season.
Dawson Still Expects More Major Titles
Despite the recent setbacks, Dawson remains convinced that Littler will continue winning trophies.
“I think he is going to be right in amongst it. I would expect him to win more titles,” he said.
Dawson also acknowledged that winning everything is an unrealistic expectation, even for a player of Littler’s extraordinary ability.
“I don’t think he is going to win all of them. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he did.”
That confidence is understandable. Littler has already shown that he can recover from disappointing performances and compete for major honours again. There is little reason to assume that two unsuccessful tournaments will suddenly change his entire career trajectory.
The Grand Slam of Darts and European Championship provide further opportunities for him to respond. Whether he wins either event remains to be seen, but his opponents will know that a more clinical Littler can quickly become a serious problem again.
Dawson’s conclusion leaves little room for doubt.
“There is no crisis. There is no major problem. It’s just the thing he was trying to do isn’t going to happen this year.”
Is the Pressure on Littler Becoming Unrealistic?
Littler’s recent defeats have reminded everyone that darts remains an unpredictable sport, even when the favourite is a generational talent.
His rivals will undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to challenge him, while supporters will be eager to see whether he can return to winning ways. Both reactions are perfectly reasonable.
However, expecting Littler to win every major tournament is setting an almost impossible standard. His achievements in 2026 have already been remarkable, and a disappointing few weeks should not overshadow them.
Dawson’s defence is not an excuse for poor performances. It is a reminder that even the best players need room to lose, learn and improve without every setback becoming a crisis.
The coming tournaments will reveal more about Littler’s current form, but writing him off now would be premature.
Do you agree with Dan Dawson that there is absolutely no crisis, or are Littler’s recent defeats a warning sign that his rivals are finally catching up?