Overview
- Littler defeated 2018 champion Rob Cross 4–2 at Alexandra Palace to advance to the last eight.
- The match contributed to a new tournament record for total 180s, with Littler striking 15 as the event tally surpassed the previous mark.
- On stage he told sections of the crowd, “You pay for the tickets, you pay my prize money… thank you for my money, thank you for booing me,” drawing loud jeers.
- The Professional Darts Corporation curtailed his post-match press conference by barring further questions about the crowd, ending the session early.
- Media and players, including Germany’s Florian Hempel, criticized his tone, his mother posted insults at critics on X, and Littler said he would prepare for the worst for the quarterfinal.