Luke Littler told to copy Ronnie O'Sullivan after receiving huge backlash

Darts sensation has been urged to follow in the footsteps of and keep bringing his charismatic presence to the stage - regardless of how the crowd react. Littler is preparing to defend his title this Thursday. 'The Nuke' will play Gerwyn Price first-up at the O2, with the winner facing or Nathan Aspinall in the final.

Littler finished top of the standings with a record points total following his nightly win in Sheffield last week. That's despite having to endure crowd boos at the Utilita Arena, with the star responding on social media two days later. After were beaten by Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, he taunted fans of the Blades by posting on Instagram: "Heard some boos on Thursday night karma always comes back to bite you."

It wasn't the first time Littler had been jeered by a Premier League crowd this year. In Leeds the previous week, to fans after they were giving him stick.

He's also previously over his love of . Rival Rob Cross has now urged the 18-year-old to continue interacting with spectators despite the risk of being booed.

"Luke gets a bit of a backlash sometimes from fans about his antics," he told . "But I think everyone should lay off him and let him get on with it.

"I reckon he can become an Eric Bristow or Ronnie O'Sullivan character of the sport. He doesn't take any nonsense and he loves the banter. Just let him be himself. We need that sort of stuff in sport, it gets people wound up and makes for better atmospheres."

Cross, who laboured to seventh in the Premier League standings, also defended Littler's character, arguing his charisma was good for the sport. He added: " I love the fact he's got a bit of a swagger about him.

"The boy isn't arrogant, he just enjoys the fun of it all. He takes it all in his stride. People shouldn't try to stop him. It gets people talking and it always makes me laugh to be honest."