The PDC World Darts Championship produced another gripping night at Alexandra Palace on December 29, 2025, as defending champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler booked his place in the quarter-finals with a hard-earned 4-2 victory over former winner Rob Cross. The 18-year-old world number one delivered a stunning display, averaging 106.58 and firing in 17 maximums — the highest total by any player in a single match at this year’s tournament. Yet, despite the fireworks on the oche, it was the volatile atmosphere inside Ally Pally that truly defined the evening.
Once the darling of the darts crowd, Littler found himself cast in an unfamiliar role. As Cross gained momentum, sections of the audience openly backed the 2018 champion, cheering his big moments and jeering Littler’s missed doubles. It marked a noticeable shift in sentiment toward a player who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old finalist and lifted the trophy just a year ago. The teenage sensation admitted afterward that the hostility was impossible to ignore.
Littler had looked imperious early on, racing into control and producing a jaw-dropping third set in which he averaged 125.25. But Cross, showing all his experience, refused to fade quietly. He reeled off crucial legs, landed a superb 109 checkout and followed it with a pressure-packed 126 on the bull to drag the contest back to 3-2. At one stage, Cross even had a dart in hand to force a deciding set. Littler, though, stood firm — breaking back at the perfect moment before closing out the match with authority.
His reaction was explosive. Rather than a restrained celebration, Littler sprinted around the stage, gesturing to the crowd and repeatedly shouting, “Now what?” in response to the boos. The emotion carried straight into his on-stage interview, where he doubled down defiantly. “I’m not bothered, really not bothered,” he insisted, before adding with a grin, “You guys pay for tickets that pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money — thank you for booing me!”
Later, with the adrenaline fading, Littler offered a more reflective assessment. “I lost my head,” he admitted. “People might say I haven’t matured, but try and be in my position. I can still learn a lot — how to deal with the crowd and not let as much emotion out.” He acknowledged the unfamiliar experience, adding, “That’s the first time at the World Championships the crowd didn’t want me to win.” Comparing it to his early days, he joked, “Two years ago I’d probably have started throwing left-handed. That’s how much I’ve grown.”
The change in crowd reaction reflects darts’ enduring love of the underdog. Littler is no longer the fearless newcomer; he is the dominant force chasing back-to-back world titles, a feat achieved only by legends of the sport. With his talent often making matches look routine, some fans now root against him in the hope of extended battles and shock results. “They want the underdog to win or the game to go on longer,” Littler noted. “But it definitely fuelled me, and I definitely played better.”
Rather than derailing him, the hostility appeared to sharpen his focus. Driven by adrenaline and emotion, Littler produced his best darts under pressure, including a vital 164 checkout at a critical stage. “I just kept thinking, ‘Leave everything until that last dart goes in,’” he said. “Rob really pushed me, but I just had to get rid of him.”
Attention now turns to New Year’s Day, where Littler will face either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski for a place in the semi-finals. Expecting another tough reception, he remains unfazed. “I expect the worst on New Year’s Day,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens — I’m ready.” He also hinted at a more controlled approach, promising to save his reactions for decisive moments.
The night marked a defining chapter in Littler’s Ally Pally journey. Once the pantomime hero, he is now learning how to handle life as the favourite — and, at times, the villain. But if this performance was any indication, pressure only strengthens his resolve. As the championship reaches its business end, one thing is clear: Luke Littler is ready for whatever the crowd throws at him.