“I think you've just got to laugh it off” – Luke Littler advised on how to handle booing and whistling from the crowd

The debate around Luke Littler has flared up again after a turbulent week in the Premier League Darts. The 19-year-old world champion faced a hostile reception in Brighton and then lost to Stephen Bunting. According to darts legend Keith Deller, however, it simply comes with the territory.

Littler posted an 83.94, his lowest ever average in a televised match, and appeared visibly affected by the crowd. The Englishman was booed on his walk-on and responded with a hand-to-ear gesture towards the audience, after which the jeering only intensified.

The tense atmosphere did not come out of nowhere. A week earlier, Littler clashed during a heated match with Gian van Veen in Manchester. The Englishman was clearly irritated by a disapproving look from Van Veen, after he caught Littler whipping up the crowd following the Dutchman’s missed match dart. Littler faced heavy criticism afterwards for his aggressive reaction to the incident.

What followed was a public war of words, with Littler responding on social media and highlighting his track record. In Brighton, the crowd seemed not to have forgotten that incident.

According to Keith Deller, the crowd’s reaction is nothing new in darts. The 1983 world champion sees clear parallels with earlier generations.

“I don't think it was too bad,” Deller told talkSPORTS. "We had it back in our day. Eric [Bristow] got booed in Scotland because he used to upset Jocky Wilson a few times. That's just the way it is."

Deller stresses that the key is how players handle it. "Eric loved it and that's what you've got to do. Peter Manley, he was one of them again. He used to get booed sometimes and just laugh."

The key, Deller believes, lies in mental resilience. If you let the crowd affect you, you only make it harder on yourself. “I think you've just got to laugh it off really because if you start getting to it and the crowd knows that you don't like it, then you're in trouble. Because they know they're going to do it.”

Deller also sees another major reason for the negative reactions toward the young world champion: jealousy. “I think there’s always a little bit of jealousy. I mean Luke's now a multi-millionaire.”

Even so, he emphasises that Littler is hugely valuable to the sport. “Luke Littler's done so much for our sport. How many youngsters are taking the game up? The viewing figures now are going through the roof. Companies are becoming involved. Arenas are sold out because of Luke Littler."

Despite the criticism and the pressure, Deller does not expect Littler to step back any time soon. On the contrary, he believes a huge future lies ahead. “Will the incentive still be there? Will the hunger still be there? I don't know," Deller stated. “I think maybe a true reflection in a way is how long will he carry on? Because he could be worth, I don't know, £15million in five years or £20m in five years.”