ITV compelled into motion as darts followers direct X-rated chant at Keir Starmer once more

Sir Keir Starmer was once again the subject of a brutal chant from darts fans as Luke Littler took on Luke Humphries in the World Darts Masters final in Milton Keynes

ITV was forced to issue an apology during the World Darts Masters final after cruel chants targeting Sir Keir Starmer echoed around the venue. This marks yet another occasion where the prime minister has faced such mockery.

Luke Littler maintained his stranglehold on major darting competitions in Milton Keynes at the revamped World Masters. The 19-year-old world champion fought through challenging matches to reach the final, where he overcame former world titleholder Luke Humphries 6-5.

However, the showpiece at Arena MK was partly marred by an X-rated chant from spectators that compelled ITV to broadcast an apologetic statement.

During the battle between darting giants Littler and Humphries, the audience could be heard belting out a chant directed at the prime minister. Set to the opening melody of the White Stripes’ 2003 anthem ‘Seven Nation Army’ they repeatedly sang “Keir Starmer’s a w****r.”

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Supporters persisted with the chant on several occasions forcing ITV to intervene. During the fourth set, a message flashed up on screen stating: “We apologise for any offensive language.”

This isn’t a one-off occurrence though as spectators previously unleashed the explicit chant at Sir Keir during the World Grand Prix late last year and at the World Darts Championship.

When Danny Noppert faced Stephen Bunting at the Grand Prix, the chant was audible and broadcaster Sky Sports chose to mask it with generic crowd noise.

Sky were compelled to take this action once more during the World Darts Championship final. Just a handful of legs into the spectacular clash between Littler and Gian van Veen, the chant erupted and Sky did their utmost to suppress it.

Fresh polling has shown that the PM and his Labour Party’s approval ratings have hit rock bottom. The BMG Research study discovered that more than 50 per cent of participants would prefer a different leader.

His net satisfaction score has also nosedived in recent weeks to an unprecedented low of -49. Even those who backed Labour in the 2024 General Election have expressed their dissatisfaction with a net satisfaction rating of -9, according to early-2026 patterns.

Respondents identified their favoured choice for prime minister, with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, topping the list with 24% among those wanting leadership change. His backing primarily stems from Labour supporters in the 2024 election who desire Sir Keir’s departure.

Reform voters also back Burnham, with some convinced he could win back support that drifted to Nigel Farage’s party. Besides dissatisfaction, the poll reveals uncertainty about future leaders.

A sizeable 23 per cent of respondents chose “none of the above” despite wanting change. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and ex-deputy Angela Rayner were also proposed as candidates, each receiving only four per cent support.