LUKE LITTLER has jokingly hit out at a fan’s cheeky practice suggestion – after a disappointing night at the oche.
The Nuke crashed out at the first hurdle during Thursday’s Premier League Darts in Dublin.
Littler averaged 102.64 but ran into a red-hot Gerwyn Price in front of a partisan crowd at the 3Arena.
The 18-year-old cut a frustrated figure after the loss, tossing his darts case to the ground as he left the stage.
It came just a week after Littler won Week 2 of the Premier League in Glasgow.
The teenager later took to Instagram, telling his 2 million followers: “Not the way I wanted to follow up the win last week.
“But loads more darts to play starting with premier league and uk open next week. Appreciate everyone who came out to support tonight.”
Hundreds of Littler’s fans offered words of encouragement in the comment section.
But one suggested: “Need to start attending the pro tours for more practice.”
A baffled Littler responded: “Rather watch paint dry.”
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The PDC Pro Tours are untelevised events which run annually from February to October.
Littler has skipped a number of tournaments in the early part of this year to manage his packed schedule.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”First glimpse of The Luke Littler Stadium as Warrington Wolves rename ground in honour of darts superstar and megafan ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369096475112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]One fan responded to the heckler: “Are at you telling the world champion and reigning premier league champion what he should do haha?”
And another said to Manchester Utd fan Luke: “I mean you watch United every weekend so.”
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D107368%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]Littler, the reigning Premier League champ, was no match for Ice Man Price on a night of high drama in Dublin.
The Welshman followed his 6-4 win over Littler with victory over World No. 1 Luke Humphries.
And Price won the night thanks to a dominant 6-3 triumph over Nathan Aspinall in the final.
The former world champion said: “I want to be a tough nut to crack for everyone, that is what I used to be.
“That is where I was two or three years ago and I’ve maybe slipped off the radar a little bit but I am coming back.
“My game is in a great place and my mind is in a good place.”