Darts’ largest bust-ups as Luke Littler ‘throws mood tantrum’ throughout Gian van Veen loss

Luke Littler was at the centre of a storm on Thursday evening as he clashed with Gian van Veen during the quarter-finals of their Premier League Darts match

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Darts fans are no strangers to some on-stage needle – in fact, some fans love to see some edge to the game.

However, Luke Littler was widely slammed for his actions on Thursday evening during the latest leg of Premier League Darts in Manchester. The Nuke has had his fair share of bust-ups, infamously losing his rag at the World Darts Championship over the festive period.

And with last night’s incident still fresh in the memory, Daily Star Sport has a look at six famous darting bust-ups from the Nukes antics in Manchester to a trilogy of Gerwyn Price rivalries…

Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen

The Nuke, 19, had clashed with the Dutchman in the quarter-finals of Premier League Darts in Manchester when he battled back from 4-1 to 5-5. However, there was some needle between the pair after Van Veen missed D15.

Van Veen shot a look towards the crowd and Littler – who responded by flinging his arms up in the air. The Nuke then looked over to the family section and performed a crybaby gesture, before he continued his fury on social media.

Speaking to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, Van Veen opened up on what was said on stage: “I’m on 90 and miss double 15 on the inside, and then I see him cheering towards the crowd. I don’t think that’s normal.

“And then he makes that crying gesture too…He is a great darts player, but today he shows that he is not a good loser. Cheering over an opponent’s miss really annoys me. So that’s why I gave him an angry look. That he then misses three darts at a double, that’s his problem.”

Adrian Lewis vs Jose Justicia

Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis was suspended after poking the face of rival Jose Justicia during a UK Open qualifier clash in Wigan.

Jackpot warned the Spaniard not to “p*** him off” and the pair had to be separated by security after Lewis had wrapped up the match with a double seven.

Lewis then said: “I deeply regret that my frustrations got the better of me as I felt that my opponent was trying to provoke me.”

Phil Taylor vs Raymond van Barneveld

Whenever Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld faced off it was always an enthralling watch, with the two players each winning a World Championship final against each other – van Barneveld in 2007 and Taylor in 2009.

Another iconic meeting was their 2013 World Championship semi-final, which The Power won 6-4 before going on to claim his 14th title against Michael van Gerwen.

After the match, words seemed to be exchanged as they shook hands, with Taylor pushing van Barneveld away with his arm. The Dutchman responded with a light shove on Taylor’s back.

“Raymond’s a big lad and he has a strong handshake, and when he pulled me, it hurt me,” Taylor said afterwards. “I reacted wrongly and I’m ashamed of that because I really like Raymond I’m gutted about what happened. It’s upset a lot of people and it’s also upset me. I’ve contacted Raymond to apologise to him and hopefully we can put it behind us now.”

Gerwyn Price vs Daryl Gurney

It’s time for the Gerwyn Price trilogy. A 7-7 draw in Sheffield in 2019’s Premier League was not the result either Gerwyn Price or Daryl Gurney wanted as they aimed to make the semi-finals.

It was Gurney in particular who let his frustrations boil over after the game, angrily pulling Price towards him as the Welshman offered a handshake.

Plenty of pointing, shouting and accusatory gestures ensued, and security had to intervene between the pair.

“To be honest I don’t understand what happened, why it happened,” Price said afterwards. “He reckons that I’m talking, if I want to gee myself up, I gee myself up, I wouldn’t do it when he’s throwing. But each to their own, I’m accused of a lot of things.”

Gerwyn Price vs Gary Anderson

Of all Gerwyn Price’s rivalries, his conflict with Gary Anderson is the most intense – largely thanks to the infamous 2018 Grand Slam of Darts final. The Welshman trailed 11-8 at one point, but fought back to win 16-13 and claim his first major PDC title. But that was not the main talking point.

The two players clashed at various points throughout the match, with Anderson frustrated by Price’s slow play and over-exuberant celebrations. The crowd in Wolverhampton began to boo Price, but that only seemed to encourage The Iceman and he became even more performative.

Price was given a suspended ban and fined £12,000 for his behaviour – in addition to £8,000 for his antics against Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals – with both sums later halved.

“It is okay between us and we say ‘hello’ to each other, but that’s it,” Price said last year. “It is what it is. I don’t hate him, It just sometimes bothers me how he is on stage versus how I am. I am who I am. Everyone plays their own game. Some are slower than others. It’s all about how you deal with that.”

Gerwyn Price vs Peter Wright

Anderson has not been the only one riled by Price’s theatrics, with Peter Wright bemused by the Welshman in their 2020 World Championship semi-final.

Price had ensured that his celebration after claiming the second set was a big one, after Snakebite had made a cheeky comment in his direction after taking the first. Wright went on to win the ill-tempered clash 6-3 and the pair did not shake hands afterwards.

“I apologise to everyone who thinks I’ve done wrong and yeah maybe I was a bit OTT,” Price later tweeted. “It’s a difficult place up on that stage and sometimes emotions get the better of you.

“I also apologise for not shaking his hand, it’s not a rule, but should of bit my tongue done it and walked off, at the time I just wanted to get off the stage and get home as you can imagine.”