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Phil Taylor's warning to Luke Littler after Gian van Veen row and social media meltdown

Darts legend Phil 'the Power' Taylor, who has a record 16 World Championships under his belt, insisted 19-year-old Luke Littler needs to get off socials and practise more if he wants to reach the very top

[Luke Littler during his match against Gian van Veen on night nine of the 2026 Premier League Darts in Manchester]

Littler has been told to stay off social media following his recent row with Gian van Veen(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Phil the Power Taylor has blasted teen darts sensation Luke Littler for being too distracted by social media.

The former darts player, who has a record 16 World Championships under his belt, insisted the 19-year-old needs to get off socials and practise more if he wants to also become a legend.

His advice comes as The Nuke has faced booing from crowds during the 2026 Premier League and overseas tournaments. Littler has also seen a drop in form recently.

Speaking to the Double Tops podcast, sponsored by BetMGM, he said, Him not playing quite as well is great for the game.

[Photo of Phil Taylor with a trophy]

Phil Taylor has issued a warning to Littler(Image: PA)

He needs to get off social media put that phone down and just dont keep posting things as a reaction.

I was always told whatever you do, dont have an opinion on social media because there will always be people who will take what youre saying the wrong way.

The former champ, 65, also urged the lads mum not to feed him too much, as going hungry before a big match can help you win.

He said: I was speaking with his mother last year, and I advised her ahead of the World Championship.

I said youre playing for 1 million at the World Championship, dont eat out of the hotel and dont have takeaways eat your food in your room.

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Littler has faced hostility from crowds recently

I watched documentaries on TV about Roman soldiers never going into battle on a full stomach, so most matches I played, I went into them hungry.

Littler, 19, was Public Enemy No.1 when the Premier League visited in Rotterdam last week, after he clashed with Gian van Veen two weeks prior in Manchester.

Speaking about the crowd, Wayne Mardle said on Sky Sports": "The atmosphere [in Rotterdam] is incredible! Michael van Gerwen is now the darling of Dutch darts. It used to be Raymond van Barneveld.

"The crowd are going to play a part, there's no doubt about it. When Luke Littler was shown earlier, there was booing and hissing. He's got to put up with this now, having created this little situation."

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