Controversial scenes at 2026 UK Open: ITV repeatedly apologise for X-rated crowd chant about Keir Starmer

The 2026 UK Open last weekend delivered not only sporting fireworks, but also a striking moment off the oche. Throughout the three-day event, but most notably during the title decider between Luke Littler and James Wade, supporters in the arena could be clearly heard chanting a X-rated song about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after which the TV broadcaster felt compelled to issue an apology.

The match was played at the Butlin's Minehead Resort, where thousands of darts fans gather each year for the UK Open. During the second session of the final, TV viewers could clearly pick up chants from the crowd in which Starmer was insulted in crude terms. The commentators on ITV offered an almost immediate apology for the language that was audible on the broadcast.

Notably, this is not the first time the anti-Starmer chants have surfaced in darts of late. During the World Grand Prix in 2025, Sky Sports were similarly forced to apologise for the bad language heard, whilst during the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, any time the chant would arise amongst the Ally Pally crowd, Sky Sports would drop the level of crowd noise audible on their broadcast.

Despite the incident, the focus quickly returned to the sporting spectacle. The final between Littler and Wade produced a gripping contest, with chances for both players. In the end, the young Englishman prevailed with an 11-7 victory.

For Littler, it was his second consecutive UK Open title. With that, he achieved something that had not been done for ten years. The last player to successfully defend his title was Michael van Gerwen, who won the tournament in 2015 and 2016.

In the history of the tournament, only a handful of players have managed to lift the title two years running. Besides Van Gerwen, they are Phil Taylor (2009 and 2010) and Raymond van Barneveld (2006 and 2007). Taylor remains the record holder with five triumphs, thanks to his titles in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

For Littler, it was also his second UK Open crown, putting him alongside a select group of multiple champions. Wade is part of that group as well, having won the tournament earlier in 2008, 2011 and 2021.