"Van Gerwen looks up to Luke, What he's doing now is unprecedented": World Championship sensation makes striking comment about rivals being in awe of Luke Littler
PDC
Justin Hood enjoyed the breakthrough moment of his career at last year's World Darts Championship. The Englishman became a fan favourite at Alexandra Palace and suddenly found himself as much more than just a familiar name on the ProTour.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since his impressive run, his life has changed completely. In an extensive interview, Hood reflected on the enormous impact of his World Championship success, spoke about the financial rewards of his performances, revealed his dream of opening his own Chinese restaurant, and lavished praise on world champion Luke Littler. This after he admitted last week, he might have to change his nickname.
According to Hood, it feels as though his life has been turned upside down in just a matter of weeks. "Yeah, it's been a whirlwind since the Worlds. It's gone from nothing to getting hundreds of messages a day. It's nice, but it's a lot to get used to, and I'm starting to come out the other side of it now and producing good stuff again," said Hood to Oche180.
Although Hood impressed on stage during the World Championship, another topic proved almost as popular: his ambition to one day open his own Chinese restaurant. He can now laugh at the fact that this story took on a life of its own. "90% of it was the Chinese restaurant, and that's still the aim. In the next year or two we want one. So yeah, hopefully we can get one."
Recognised everywhere after World Championship breakthrough
Where Hood used to be able to practise in peace, things are very different these days. Since his World Championship breakthrough, he is recognised almost everywhere he goes and regularly approached by fans.
As a result, he has altered his preparation also in a bid to avoid the intense limelight it brought.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It's been a 360 since the Worlds, literally the day after we got back. It's hard to go out and practise now because people want to talk to you, which is fine. I'll never say no to anyone, but when you're out for a serious practice it's hard now. So I've got to limit what I do and when I go out. I go to my mate's house now to practise more than going out to a pub, which I'm not a massive fan of.
"I've grown up in a pub and it's where I do most of my practice, but I'm hoping the novelty of seeing me on telly will wear off and I can go back out and do what I've got to do.
Justin Hood celebrating after making it to the PDC World Darts Championship quarter-finals
'The prize money changed our lives'
The World Championship also brought Hood a significant financial reward. However, he is quick to point out that many people misunderstand what happens to a large cheque shown on television. Even so, that amount made a huge difference.
ADVERTISEMENT
"For me and my missus it was still life-changing. We had to give a lot away. Obviously you've got your management fees and then you've got your tax, and that £100,000 probably dwindled down to about £30,000. But it's still, for us, a £30,000 injection that we never had before. I can play this year with no pressure of, "I've got to win this game to pay my rent," and it's a nice feeling. But I want more. I want to win the Worlds."
Interestingly, Hood does not consider his own performances to be his favourite memory of the tournament.
"Luke Littler winning it. I've always been the same, whether I win or lose I'm going to be the same person, and I'm happy with what I've done. I could have done more. Gary was class and he beat me, but Luke winning it was my highlight."
According to Hood, Littler has changed the darts world forever, not only for himself, but for every professional player. Beyond his achievements on the oche, Hood reserved special praise for Littler's character.
ADVERTISEMENT
"He's made players like myself, and even players like Nathan Aspinall, into celebrities really. What he's done for it... people recognise us now. Before you'd get the odd one down your local club. Now you can't go shopping without people knowing who you are. It's because of Luke, and we can't thank him enough.
"He's such a nice kiddie. He gets a lot of bad flak for how good he is, same as what Phil got and Michael got when they were in their pomp. He's better than both of them. He's the best, and if he keeps going he will be the best player we've ever seen."
According to Hood, Littler has now become the benchmark for the entire PDC Tour. He believes Littler's dominance is driving standards across the sport.
"The thing is with what we're doing now, he's made a rod for his own back because he's that good and he's that dominant. He's earned the money where he can turn around and be like, "I don't need this now." But I think deep down he's got that hunger to be the best, and I think he'll go on and do it.
"People should rally behind him. You always need that player. When Phil was doing it, and Michael, you need that player to aim at. So me now, and everyone else on tour, when you look at Luke, he's the boss. He's the kiddie. He is. You need that dominant player because it pushes our game up.
ADVERTISEMENT
"If it was Humphries will win that, Gerwyn Price will win that, Michael van Gerwen will win that, it'd be like everyone can share them. Luke's dominating this year. He's lost one ranking event this year. He's lost one game. It's scary how good he is, and he's 19 years old.
"But you need someone like him to push us, and he's the reason I'm doing what I'm doing now. Everyone's like, "He must look up to you because you're nearly 40." But no, we all look up to Luke. Everyone looks up to Luke. I don't care what they say. Van Gerwen looks up to Luke. What he's doing now is unprecedented.
"We've never seen anyone dominate this early in their career. Taylor did it, but he had four or five years before he won Worlds. Luke's been in every World Final he's competed in in the PDC. It's scary how good he is and how good he's going to be."
Luke Littler won the last two editions of the World Darts Championship
Can he break Phil Taylor's record?
ADVERTISEMENT
Asked whether Littler could one day equal or surpass Phil Taylor's record of 16 world titles, Hood barely needed to think.
"He's the only one it's possible for. He could win 20 in a row if he wants... unless he plays me. Coming for you, Luke!
He then turned serious again. "But no, he's the best player I've ever seen. I've stood behind Phil and watched him throw. Michael van Gerwen's prime was unbelievable. Littler is another. He's an animal. He is something we've never seen, and I don't think we'll ever see again."
Hood also highlighted several other young talents. "Mitchell Lawrie's amazing and he's going to do big things. Kaya Baysal... what's his name? He's another player that's amazing, world-class and he's going to do big things. But Luke Littler is the best I've ever seen and will be the best I've ever seen when I retire."
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026