Gary Anderson slams the media commitments and pressure being placed on Luke Littler at a young age

The media has been urged by darts great Gary Anderson to be extra careful that they don’t “destroy” young darts star Luke Littler, who is presently having a legendary run in the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship.

The 16-year-old Littler will now play the 40-year-old Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld in the fourth round of the Alexandra Palace competition after defeating Matt Campbell 3-1 in the third round.

Littler has given three consecutively outstanding performances that are much above average for his age. And if he prevails over van Barneveld in the fourth round, he might go up against Anderson, who will go up against Brendan Dolan.

Despite the fact that Littler’s outstanding performances have made headlines, Anderson has warned against overconfidence, particularly from the media. Despite Littler’s excellent play, the Scotsman is cautious of those who overemphasise the adolescent before tearing him down at the first hint of problems.

Speaking at a heated news conference prior to Littler’s fourth-round match against Dolan, Anderson also wants to make sure that people don’t put too much pressure on Littler and just let him have fun and not place too much pressure on his young shoulders.

“Now see, we’re going to say this now, because we had another youngster, called Josh Rock that all you press and everything else have absolutely destroyed,” said Anderson.

“So if it ever goes t**s up with Luke [Littler], give yourselves a pat on the back, because that’s the way going. Let the boy play darts. I’ve been downstairs today and he’s had cameras, zoom calls, Sky meetings – let the boy play darts.

“He’s had a great tournament. He’s done well, what happens if it all goes Pete Tonge now. You boys have ruined that haven’t you [gesturing to the media]. Let the boy play darts. He’s 16-years-old, playing well and just like Josh Rock, fantastic player, but you’ve knocked him back about two or three years.”