FORMER PDC star Vincent van der Voort believes some stars on the circuit are “too pally” with Luke Littler.
The Nuke is currently dominating the Darts Premier League as he looks to defend his 2024 title.
Littler, 18, has won four out of the eight nights, topping the table with 28 points.
Van der Voort, known as the Dutch Destroyer during his playing days, believes some players are being too nice with the teenage sensation.
Singling out Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting, he said: “Every little thing, they’re giving him fist bumps or smiles.”
Van der Voort believes his fellow countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode would bring a more competitive edge to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old is currently ranked No29 in the world but has yet to win a major TV ranking event.
Van der Voort claimed: “Compared to some of the players in [the Premier League] now, I’d much rather watch Dirk.
“There’s always something happening when he plays.
“Some players just show up and act like the perfect son-in-law, but that doesn’t bring much excitement.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
“There are too many Littler fanboys right now, so it would be great to see Dirk in the mix.
“He steps up to compete against him and does everything to win.”
Van Duijvenbode rose quickly up the PDC rankings but has been hampered by a shoulder injury since early 2024.
The Dutchman believes he had a shot at making the eight-man Premier League last year – if he hadn't been struck down with the issue.
He told the Darts Draait Door podcast: “In my injury year, I was really close [to the Premier League].
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1– Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 –Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5
Night 3 –Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 4 –Exeter: Humphries beat Littler 6-4
Night 5 –Brighton: Littler beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 6 –Nottingham: Price beat Littler 6-3
Night 7 –Cardiff: Littler beat Van Gerwen 6-4
Night 8 –Newcastle: Littler beat Humphries 6-1
Night 9 –Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 –AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 –Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 –M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 –Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 –First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 –P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 –Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs –The O2, London – Thursday May 29
“The PDC even asked me to come to Ahoy for an on-stage interview.
“It felt like they were preparing me for something.
“Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but when they start introducing you to that kind of stage, it means something.
“In the end, though, I was still far from making it because my season took a different turn.”
Littler and Co will return for Week 9 of the Premier League on Thursday in Berlin.
