Nathan Aspinall concedes he has been too nice to Luke Littler on stage after ‘fanboy’ jibes were made about the Premier League players.
Those comments were made by Vincent van der Voort, who insists there are too many ‘fanboys’ of the 18-year-old on the PDC circuit.
Aspinall responded to the Littler ‘fanboy’ jibeGettyVan der Voort singled out Stephen Bunting and Aspinall as being too nice to the 2025 world champion on the oche.
The 2007 UK Open runner-up said on the Darts Draait Door podcast: “Every little thing, they’re giving him fist bumps or smiles.”
He added: “Some players just show up and act like the perfect son-in-law, but that doesn’t bring much excitement.
“There are too many Littler fanboys right now.”
Aspinall was asked about those comments when he joined talkSPORT on Wednesday and admitted there were times he had been too nice.
Littler outclassed Aspinall at this year’s PDC World Championship, beating him 5-2 in the quarter-final.
Asked about the ‘fanboy’ comments, the world no.8 said: “Apparently so. But, to be fair, they were right at the World Championship. I was a bit too respectful to him. I’ve got to remember that I’m there to win for myself.
“I’ve known Luke since he was 11 or 12. I’m just generally happy for what he’s achieved in the game. He’s a really nice kid, but I’ve just got to start beating him.”
Littler has been thrust into the spotlight after bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old.
He has been credited with creating a heightened interest in the sport, which has in turn led to more sponsorship and prize money opportunities.
Littler and Aspinall are known to be close friends on the circuitRexFor instance, the 2026 World Championship winner will scoop £1million – double what Littler took home this January.
Aspinall continued: “I’ve said it many times. I don’t think I could do what he’s had to go through and I’m quite mentally strong.
“At 17, 18 with all the media commitments and going on all these shows. The difference between dart players and footballers is that we don’t get media trained.
“He’s been thrown into the deep end, going on A League of their Own and all these different shows. He does get a lot of respect and he deserves it.”
Not only has Littler been thrust onto TV shows at such a young age, he’s had to adapt to life as a touring pro alongside many older hands.
Aspinall revealed how ‘The Nuke’ has changed over the last 12 to 18 months, and since he turned 18 and was legally allowed to drink.
Littler has taken all the adulation in his strideGetty“He’s coming out of his shell a bit as well now with the boys,” he added.
“He used to play his darts and go back to his room and play on his PlayStation or whatever.
“He’s now actually coming down to the hotel bar and playing cards with us and stuff like that.
“He’s definitely grown up in the last 12 months. But I think he’s kind of had to really because of everything that’s been thrown at him.
“He’ll have a couple of Dark Fruits. He’s a bit of a lightweight, but he’s only 18. He’ll have like four pints and that’s him done.”
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