Luke Littler mocked his critics by claiming he still “made a few quid” despite a dismal exit from the Players Championship. The Nuke was beaten 6-3 by Joe Cullen in the last 32 in Wigan.

Littler failed to match his World Darts Championship performances in the Player Championship. He averaged only 87.81 against Cullen and 87.31 in his earlier victory over Martin Lukeman. The world champion also defeated Jim Long before succumbing to Cullen.

One Littler fan was determined to defend the 18-year-old from his critics. They wrote on Facebook: “All you Littler haters make me laugh, remember what he’s done and won in one year on tour. Hate people who rip into people’s success.”

Littler, an avid Facebook user, replied to the comment, joking that his detractors are charging their phones ready to react to his defeats. He pointed out that he still won plenty of cash - £1,500 in total for players who exit at the last-32 stage.

He said: “Still earned a few quid today while these are sat at home charging their phones waiting for me to lose.”

Scrutiny on Littler has increased since his World Championship triumph and turning 18 in January. He caused controversy ahead of last week’s Premier League Darts opener in Belfast, turning up 45 minutes late to a media event.

Michael van Gerwen - who Littler beat to win his maiden world title - called on the PDC to treat the youngster as an adult. The Dutchman was unimpressed by his rival’s lack of punctuality.

"They need to stop treating him like a baby. He's not a baby anymore, he's 18 years old now,” Van Gerwen said.

"It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way. It's a professional sport so you have to be responsible for your actions. Simple as that.

"If he turns up late for an interview, I don't mind. But seven other people are waiting for him. That's not very nice, is it?"

Littler has since confessed that Van Gerwen was correct. He also revealed that he was given a “telling off” by darts bosses.

"I always let my darts do the talking,” Littler said. “But he (Van Gerwen) is not wrong. I was late. I'm 18 now and I'm responsible for my actions and I did get a little telling off."