"Gary Anderson said we're boring so that's what we do": Luke Littler cheekily responds to swipe at new darting generation

Luke Littler might only be 18 months into his PDC career, but he’s already breaking records and making headlines. After a hard-fought win over Andrew Gilding, the 18-year-old booked his place in the World Matchplay semi-finals with a performance that was anything but dull as he spoke to the media including DartsNews.

“A lot of us players, we just get on with our things,” Littler shrugged. “And Gary Anderson said we’re boring—so that’s what we do!”

The quotes he was referring to were from Anderson who swiped at the new generation of darting stars and yearned for the good old days. “The youngsters are boring, absolutely boring. You talk to them, they’re too busy looking at their phones,” Anderson said. "They’re sitting on their phones and they’re bloody earphones and don’t talk to you. It’s a completely different life.”

Littler smashed in 18 180s, the most ever in a Matchplay quarter-final in a blistering display. “I didn’t even know that was a record,” he admitted. “I’m sure there’s records for Round 1 leading up to the final. It’s another record that I’ve ticked off. Hopefully, I can go a few better in the semis.”

The match wasn’t straightforward. Gilding kept pulling him back, even hitting 127 and 160 finishes at clutch moments. “He took his shot at the right times,” said Littler. “That’s what these dart players do—they can ping shots whenever they want. But I just had to get over the line.”

“I certainly had to [dig deep] there, especially against the darts,” he added. “I was happy to be in the lead throughout, but he got a bit of momentum and the crowd wanted it to go two clear legs. I just had to do a professional job and go out on 11.”

Littler had already found the groove before walking on stage. “In the back room, when we were balling up and throwing darts, I tried to figure out how to get myself into a rhythm—and I found the rhythm I wanted.”

That was vital against Gilding’s slower pace. “It’s definitely a different approach,” he said. “Me and Jermaine are quick players. But Andrew’s not going to change for anyone. Throw-by-throw, dart-by-dart. I just had to get myself into a rhythm. Not too quick, not too slow.”

“I think I pulled a few darts into the ones and the small 20s, but the cover shots in the 90s were there for me tonight.”

There were moments of frustration. “Obviously the doubles weren’t going in,” he said. “I was happy to be leading, but I feel like I could’ve got the job done earlier. That’s darts—it dragged out a little bit longer.”

The crowd played its part too. “They certainly got behind him,” he said. “But if I hit a 180, they all cheer and get back on my side. It was 50-50. Towards the end they wanted it to go two clear legs—but yeah, I just had to get it done.”

He handled the pressure—and the big moments—like a seasoned pro. “I think he had a ton or a 60, and then I had a ton and a 180. I went from 221 and thought, ‘Get a treble, leave 121 or 124.’ I hit the maximum, showed more aggression, and just had to hit tops.”

And when it was over, the crowd sang: “Walking in a Littler Wonderland.” “Yeah, it means everything,” Littler smiled. “I’m pretty sure it first started at my first World Championship. Just hearing the song again—especially after someone like Phil [Taylor], who’s been here and won it in ’16—it’s special. I’m really looking forward to the semi-final.”

That semi-final could be against Gerwyn Price or Josh Rock—two players he knows well, but in very different ways. “Gezzy, I’ve played loads of times. But I’ve never played Josh.”

“I think the fans would love to see me and Josh. I remember watching him play Van Gerwen a couple of years ago. I’m sure they’d love to see us.”

He and Rock go way back. “We’ve been good friends now for quite a while. Josh has been on the youth tour for many years. I’ve come on the scene recently, but I can definitely say he is an underdog.”

Asked how the friendship began, Littler laughed: “I don’t even know. Might have been the youth tour. When I was on the tour, I spoke to Rob [Cross]—I’ve known him for years. Rab Bain, Josh’s manager, has quite a few players with Target. We all go to a Target day, meet up, chat—that’s how it comes about.”

Would it be fitting for their first meeting to come on the big stage? “Yeah, it definitely would be,” Littler nodded. “I’m sure Josh will give Gezzy a good game. I’m not sure who’s going to win, but there’ll definitely be fireworks.”

And what about the friendship dynamic—does that make it tougher to face someone like Rock? “I don’t think it really matters who you play, whether you’re friends or not,” he said. “As soon as you’re on the stage, you’re no one’s friend. You’re there to do the job. If it’s Josh, he’s always in the back room chatting, practising. With Gezzy, sometimes he talks, sometimes we just do our own thing.”

Meanwhile, Littler has bigger goals on his mind—namely, the Triple Crown. “Yeah, it’s going to be on my mind until I win it. But like I’ve said since day one here, you can only beat what’s in front of you. I’ve got to take it game by game.”

As for Rock’s form? “He’s had 108–109 averages for the tournament over three or four games. He’s playing well. But I’m sure it’s going to be a really good game.”