Raymond van Barneveld hits out at Luke Littler over text message snub
Van Barneveld departs the Ally Pally stage (Photo by PDC)
Raymond van Barneveld has blasted Luke Littler after the teenager failed to respond to his idol’s congratulatory text message.
Littler revealed during his historic World Championship run that Van Barneveld was his darting hero growing up, and the pair struck up a bond after ‘The Nuke’ thrashed Barney by four sets to one in the Last 16 at Ally Pally.
Littler has gone on to take the sport by storm this year, landing three nine-darters in as many tournament wins, and has enjoyed celebrity status in the UK, appearing on the Jonathan Ross Show and Comic Relief.
However, Van Barneveld is less than impressed after seemingly being given the cold shoulder by Littler in recent weeks.
Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, the five-time World Champion said: “So that’s the weird thing about it. I understood then that I am his example. That at the World Championship you don’t chat I can understand, but other tournaments?”
“The other day I walked up to him to shake his hand. Then he took out his earplug for a moment and only said the most necessary thing.”
Van Barneveld then revealed he sent a text message to Littler to congratulate him on his debut European Tour triumph at the Belgian Darts Open.
He added: “To that he responded: ‘Yes, I only respond to text messages. WhatsApp I’m actually not on.’ Well fine, I sent a text message: ‘Congratulations with Wieze.’ And then nothing.
“Fine. Then I’m also a bit done with it. The next time I get asked if I want to do something for him, I’ll pass.”
“I understand that you get thousands text messages but of course I’m not just anyone.
“If I’ve been your inspiration for years, I also expect a text message back. Dude’s on his phone all day, fuck off.”
Barney, was, however, complimentary of Littler’s ability, adding: “This guy is so brilliantly good. He doesn’t worry about anything. He’s playing at seventeen like he’s been doing this for years.”
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