Former world champ warns Littler could snub Netherlands as he is no ‘pantomime bad guy’

GLEN DURRANT fears Luke Littler could walk away from the Netherlands as he does not have the personality to be a “pantomime bad guy”.

World No1 Littler threatened to boycott future Euro Tours in Holland after being repeatedly jeered during the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.

Littler, 19, refused to sign autographs or interact with fans after his matches following the constant heckling he endured on stage at the AFAS Live, where he eventually suffered a 10-4 quarter-final defeat to Jonny Clayton.

Former Premier League champ Durrant believes Littler is different from players such as Gerwyn Price and Paul Nicholson, who embraced being the villain during periods of intense crowd hostility.

He told Daily Star Sport, via [OLBG](https://www.olbg.com/bookmakers.php): "He's done it before. Obviously, he doesn't play in the Euro Tours in Germany.

“He's still sticking with the majors, the World Cup, and the European Championships is a competition he's really identified he wants to win this year.

"It wasn't very pleasant. He's at this point now where he's just so big in the game. I think the biggest loss to the Dutch fans would be having no Littler.

“It was very, very hostile, and I think his words were something like, 'I don't really need it'. So it was a real shame. It wasn't very pleasant to listen to. I thought he got the best of order against Johnny Clayton.”

Duzza was then asked whether Littler has a duty to represent the PDC in the Netherlands despite his frustrations.

He added: "He's his own man, he's got a brilliant team around him. He's this generational talent who's probably earned more money already than Phil Taylor has in all the years he won the 16 titles. Has he got a duty? It's a good question. We want him to play.

"The crowd would miss him if he didn't play. But, like I say, he's very much his own man. If he doesn't want to go to a tournament, then he won't.

“I've publicly said I don't think the longevity of a James Wade or Phil Taylor will be there in Luke Littler. So I say to people, enjoy him while we can.

"And the last thing we need to do is booing and whistling, because I don't think he'll suit the pantomime bad guy like a Paul Nicholson did, like a Gerwyn Price did. I just don't think he's got the personality to deal with that."

Image: Taylor Lanning