LUKE LITTLER blasted German boo-boys as he reached the World Darts Championship quarter-finals, saying: You pay for my prize money.
The Nuke, 18, was rattled as he knocked out Rob Cross 4-2 in the fourth round at Ally Pally.
The world No.1 was angry with a section of fans and turned on them as he moved within three wins of collecting the £1million top prize.
SunSport understands that while Littler did not know about their respective nationality, the jeering was coming from a section of German supporters in the 3,300-capacity arena.
Speaking on stage to Sky Sports’ Polly James, Littler told the jeerers: “I’m not bothered. Really not bothered.
“Can I say one thing? You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Come on!”
It was a fractious 47-minute display by an angry-looking Littler, who showed his displeasure at several points towards a group of abusive Germans in the crowd.
Littler cupped his ears at the punters, screamed in delight when he won a set and then raged at them when he nailed the winning double tops.
He added: Littler said: “It was a tough challenge. A tough test.
“The first set everyone got on myself a little bit. I gave it to the crowd.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
“Throughout the game, they remember that. I had to get on with the job.
“I just had to let all my emotions out. I was up for it.
“I have no idea who they were. People in the stands, a few tables at the front. I just had to get on with it.”
The reigning world champion only needs to win three more games and he will become the first man since Scottish thrower Gary Anderson in 2016 to claim back-to-back crowns.
And if he is victorious on Saturday night at Ally Pally, then he will receive a record £1m sum of prize money.
Littler – who hit seventeen 180s and averaged 106.58 – has two full days off before he faces either Englishman Luke Woodhouse or Polish player Krzysztof Ratajski in the last eight on the evening of New Year’s Day.
Littler said: “I mean I had to hold in that final set.
“I just had to hold my own.
“I just wanted to win the game. It was hostile.
“Nobody wanted me to win but yet again, I proved them wrong.
“It’s not in reach just yet. We’ve got to get to the final.
“I’ll enjoy two days off and then I’ll be back on New Year’s Day.
“I will spend it like I have the past two years.
“I will spend it in London. Doing it again and I’m through to the quarter-finals for the third time in a row.”
World Darts Championship 2025/26 – all the info
LUK OUT!
No17 seed Cross had threatened a comeback and missed darts to take this into a deciding seventh set.
By winning two sets, he has denied Littler the chance to whitewash his way to the Sid Waddell Trophy – something that had never happened before in the competition’s 33-year history.
Cross, 35, ends a difficult year in which he has had issues with the tax man, endured a torrid time on the Premier League circuit and his manager Rab Bain has been recently hospitalised.
The former electrician – who started the tournament in 17th spot on the world rankings – is likely to miss out on selection for the Prem, which starts in Newcastle on February 5.
(AD) Looking for a Christmas gift that truly hits the bullseye?
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue.
The Omni Auto Scoring System by Target Darts is the ultimate upgrade for any darts fan.
The smart auto-scoring dartboard light ring features bright LED lighting and four HD cameras that help track every throw in under a second, even counting your bounce outs – making sure you can stay focused on the game.
The Omni is easy to attach and Wi-Fi enabled, allowing it to sync seamlessly with the DartCounter app, which includes a free 3-month trial.
This ensures that live games, instant scoring, and global competitions are a complete breeze.
Sleek, high-tech and seriously impressive, it turns any game room setup into a pro-level arena.
If you’re searching for a Christmas gift that will genuinely wow, Omni by Target Darts is the kind of present that will instantly steal the spotlight.
The Omni Auto Scoring System, £499.95 – buy here
