John Part has watched darts evolve through multiple generations, faced some of the sport’s greatest players and experienced the pressure of competing for world titles himself. So when the three-time world champion offers a remarkable verdict on Luke Littler, it is worth paying attention.
The Canadian has made a bold comparison involving Littler, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, suggesting the teenage sensation deserves an even higher rating because of what he has already achieved at such a young age. It is a huge compliment, particularly coming from someone who understands what separates a talented player from a genuine champion.
But Part’s comments are about more than spectacular scoring or a collection of trophies. He believes Littler possesses something that can make life extremely difficult for everyone trying to stop him: a winning mentality that appears to have developed remarkably early in his career.
And with darts fans already debating whether Littler could eventually become the greatest player the sport has ever seen, Part has added another fascinating perspective to the conversation.
John Part Explains Why He Rates Luke Littler So Highly
Part’s comparison is particularly interesting because he is not dismissing the achievements of Taylor or Van Gerwen. Instead, he is looking at what Littler has already accomplished while still so young and considering how much more time he has to develop.
“I mean, a lot higher, I think, in a way, because he’s so young. He’s coming through, and he’s already done all this.”
That was Part’s assessment when discussing Littler alongside the two modern greats during an interview at the World Grand Prix in Leicester.
It is an important distinction. Rating a player’s achievements so far is not quite the same as declaring him the greatest of all time, and Part’s reasoning centres heavily on Littler’s age, his accomplishments and the possibility of even greater success in the future.
For fans, that makes the debate even more intriguing. Taylor has the historical record, Van Gerwen has enjoyed periods of extraordinary dominance, and Littler is already producing performances that invite comparisons with both.
Why Littler’s Winning Mentality Stands Out
Part believes Littler’s mindset could be one of the biggest reasons for his success.
“There’s the learning curve. He got it done as a teenager, and possibly even as a pre-teen. It’s as though he’s been conditioned in his mind to win.”
That observation gets to the heart of what makes Littler such a difficult opponent. At the highest level of darts, scoring power is essential, but so is the ability to handle pressure when a match reaches its decisive moments.
Littler has developed a reputation for playing with remarkable confidence. When he finds his rhythm, opponents can find themselves under pressure almost immediately, particularly when he combines heavy scoring with clinical finishing.
Part also explained how Littler’s success can create a psychological challenge for the players facing him.
“It’s a vicious curve for everyone around him who has to compete against him. He just keeps feeding into the idea that he’s going to win.”
There is a powerful point behind that assessment. Every victory reinforces a player’s belief, while rivals must repeatedly find ways to overcome someone who expects to win.
Of course, confidence alone does not guarantee trophies. Darts remains a game in which a few missed doubles can change everything, and even the best players suffer unexpected defeats. But Littler’s ability to recover from setbacks and return to winning ways could prove increasingly important as his career develops.
Part certainly does not believe one disappointing result should trigger major concerns.
Littler’s World Grand Prix Defeat Does Not Change Everything
Part’s comments came after Littler suffered a surprise first-round defeat to Luke Woodhouse at the 2026 World Grand Prix.
The result inevitably prompted questions about his form, but Part was quick to put the disappointment into perspective.
“Absolutely, you can lose, and anyone can be off their A-game.”
That is a sensible reminder for anyone following a sport where individual matches can turn on a handful of visits to the board. Even a world number one cannot maintain an extraordinary level every time he steps up to the oche.
Part highlighted Littler’s remarkable World Matchplay campaign earlier in the season, when his performances were consistently exceptional.
“I guess we got that ridiculous Matchplay performance from Luke Littler, averaging 110 every round or whatever. I think that was essentially what it was — a 110 tournament average. But that’s not the norm. That’s not normal, even for him.”
The point is not that Littler should be excused whenever he loses. Rather, his best performances are so impressive that they can distort expectations about what constitutes an ordinary showing from him.
Littler recorded a tournament average of 111.04 while successfully defending his World Matchplay title in July, setting a new record for the competition. He defeated Gerwyn Price in the final, producing another statement performance on one of darts’ biggest stages.
That is the level Part is referring to when he talks about Littler’s extraordinary potential.
The challenge now is maintaining consistency and ensuring his best performances arrive when the biggest prizes are at stake. Part believes the timing of Littler’s form matters more than one unexpected defeat.
Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen Remain the Benchmarks
Comparisons with Taylor and Van Gerwen will always generate strong opinions among darts fans.
Taylor’s 16 world titles remain the defining benchmark for greatness in the modern professional game. His dominance extended across decades, and his record of major victories is a reminder of just how difficult sustained success can be.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, established himself as one of the most dominant players of his generation. His peak years featured relentless scoring, spectacular finishing and a capacity to overwhelm opponents when he was at his best.
Littler is building his own legacy, but it would be premature to assume that early success automatically guarantees he will surpass everything those two achieved.
The teenager has already collected major titles at a remarkable rate, but matching Taylor’s overall achievements would require sustained excellence over many more years.
That is where Part’s argument becomes particularly compelling. He is not simply judging Littler against the careers of two established legends. He is also considering the enormous amount of time the young Englishman potentially has left to compete.
If Littler continues winning major tournaments, the conversation will become increasingly difficult to avoid. However, injuries, changing form, fierce competition and the natural unpredictability of darts can all influence how a career unfolds.
The next chapter matters just as much as the one already written.
Part Also Challenges the Debate About Darts’ Standard
Part discussed another issue that regularly divides supporters: whether today’s elite players are as good as those from previous generations.
He disagrees with the idea that the modern standard is inferior, arguing that fans often remember the greatest performances from the past while overlooking the ordinary matches that accompanied them.
His explanation also reflects how much darts coverage has changed. More matches are streamed, statistics are readily available, and supporters can scrutinise performances that might never have been recorded in the same detail decades ago.
That greater access can make modern players appear inconsistent because every dip in form is visible. Earlier generations did not face the same level of constant analysis.
It is a useful reminder that comparisons across different eras are rarely straightforward. Equipment, competitive structures, preparation and media coverage have all evolved, making it difficult to judge players through statistics alone.
Part’s perspective deserves consideration because he has experienced multiple eras of the sport firsthand. His argument does not mean every modern player is automatically better, but it challenges fans to assess the evidence fairly rather than relying entirely on nostalgia.
What Comes Next for Luke Littler?
The immediate priority for Littler is to turn his extraordinary ability into an even longer period of dominance.
Part has made clear that he sees no fundamental reason to doubt the youngster’s ability after one disappointing performance. He expects Littler to focus on finding his best form when the biggest tournaments arrive.
That is a reasonable approach. Great players are not defined by never losing; they are defined by how consistently they compete for the biggest prizes and how they respond when things go wrong.
Littler has already given darts fans plenty of reasons to be excited about his future. His scoring, confidence and early collection of major titles have placed him in conversations that most players can only dream of entering.
Whether he eventually surpasses Taylor’s records or matches Van Gerwen’s periods of dominance remains an open question. Part’s comments are an endorsement of his potential, not a guarantee of what is to come.
And perhaps that is what makes the debate so enjoyable. Littler is already a major force, but his story is still unfolding.
Do you agree with John Part that Luke Littler deserves to be rated even higher than Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen because of his age and achievements, or does he still have a long way to go before joining them at the very top?