Luke Littler shows true colours after crashing out of European Championship in shock defeat

Darts star Luke Littler has been eliminated from the European Championship in a shocking first-round upset, losing 6-4 to Andrew Gilding. Littler struggled to recover from a disastrous start, and his frustration was evident as he gestured towards someone in the crowd after missing an opportunity to level the score.

Despite being one of the title favourites, Littler found himself on the back foot after losing the opening leg. Gilding, 53, wowed the crowd with back-to-back 180s in the second leg, and although his nine-dart dream was dashed, he comfortably won the leg.

Littler had chances to break back but missed three shots at double top. He managed to level the match after Gilding went 4-2 ahead, but failed to push on, allowing Gilding to take a big scalp, reports the Daily Star.

READ MORE: Former I'm a Celebrity finalist 'leaks' new contestant

READ MORE: I'm a Celebrity first look as Coleen Rooney set to star

Gilding will now face home favourite Ricardo Pietreczko in the second round. This is Littler's second first-round defeat in weeks, following his loss to former world champion Rob Cross at the World Grand Prix earlier this month.

After that defeat, Littler posted a classy message on X. It said:: "Debut didn't go to plan as I would of (sic) liked but overall I enjoyed my performance. Fair play to Rob, week off now and back to it in Wigan for PC 27/28."