Luke Littler is on course to defend his World Darts Championship title after storming into the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old, who defeated Michael van Gerwen in the showpiece match a year ago, overcame Rob Cross 4-2 on Monday evening and will go up against Polish star Krzysztof Ratajski in the last eight on New Year's Day.

Littler was booed during his match with Cross and lashed out at the crowd as he explained in his on-stage interview: "Really not bothered. You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize so thanks for booing me. No one wanted me to win but I proved them wrong yet again."

His mother then took aim at the crowd in an X-rated rant on social media as she attempted to show support to her son.

Littler and Ratajski will go head-to-head in the first match of Thursday's evening session ahead of Luke Humphries' clash with Gian van Veen. In the afternoon session, Ryan Searle will take on Jonny Clayton before Gary Anderson goes up against Justin Hood.

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