jibe

LUKE LITTLER has learned to block out the haters and hecklers, saying: I just let my darts do the talking.

The Nuke is heading to Auckland for part two of his Down Under jaunt this summer.

5

5

5

The 18-year-old banked £30,000 on Saturday when he beat Belgian thrower Mike De Decker 8-4 in the final of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong.

It was his fourth success on the World Series of Darts circuit and was equally impressive given that he had not practised ahead of this 21,000-mile round trip.

Every time he failed to hit a treble during the evening’s three games, a group of locals shouted out “rubbish, rubbish” and someone even bizarrely said he was “washed”.

This comment perplexed Littler but it is believed to mean he is supposed to be washed-up and not as good as he used to – which is clearly not the case.

The more he wins, the more he will be targeted by irate punters but even for someone so young, he has learned to rise above it all.

There have been times in Germany where he has been singled out and he was asked if he had gotten used to dealing with a portion of the crowd being on his back.

Waiting for the match to start? 📺 Keep up the live action with bet365 live casino! 👇

Littler, in his second season as a pro, said: “For myself, the first time I hear it, I will obviously do something, but then I will let it go by.

“Just do my darts. Let the darts do the talking.

“No-one has taught me how to deal with much. I just get on with things. You are on stage alone.

“No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.”

Littler – who is on the two-week trip with new girlfriend Faith – is in good form and in a good mood, telling his rivals that his confidence is sky high.

No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.

Luke Littler on dealing hecklers while on the stage

An early-morning flight to Kiwi country means shifting his body clock by another two hours – he has already said he struggles with jetlag on the other side of the world.

Last year, the Warrington teen was defeated in a last-leg decider 7-6 by world No.1 Luke Humphries in the semi-finals at the Globox Arena in Hamilton.

Littler, the newly-crowned World Matchplay champion, says he has a policy of practising hard for the big TV events but for the smaller ones, he will simply rock up and do his thing.

5

5

The world No.2 said: “I’m very happy. My debut last year in Australia didn’t go to plan. But second time lucky.

“I want to be winning things. We look to New Zealand next week.

“I will enjoy this. But then it’s an early flight again. An extra two hours ahead – so I will definitely be needing some sleep.

“It’s only my second time coming to New Zealand. I didn’t do much last year.

“We can make the most of four to five days and then once it comes to Friday that is when the darts starts again.

“I’m feeling confident. This is the most confident I have felt in a very long time.

“For myself I know how much I will practise, how much I have been doing.

“But yeah I practised really well for the World Matchplay and won it. I think I will practise for the big ones.

“As a player, you are on stage for a long time. You practise leading up to it and when you are on stage, you gain that confidence.

“You get warmer and you find those four or five gears.”

Published on
05/08/2025 – 17:10 GMT+2

ADVERTISEMENT

The European Commission said on Tuesday it was surprised by comments German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil in which he highlighted the EU’s weakness in the ongoing tariff talks, despite Germany having been fully briefed ahead of the agreement reached on July 27 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.

“It is most surprising to us,” Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said, adding: “Nothing has happened here in terms of the Commission’s approach, negotiation or outcome achieved without the clear signal received from our member states.”

Klingbeil said on Monday, ahead of his meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant in Washington DC, that EU representatives “have shown weakness” during trade negotiations with the US.

“Overall, as Europeans, we must become stronger,” Klingbeil insisted, “then we can also stand up to the US with more self-confidence. Not against the US, but in dialogue with the US.”

Germany “had been fully briefed on the details of the agreement at a political level”, Commission Deputy Spokesperson Arianna Podestà added on Tuesday.

Since the announcement of the EU-US tariff agreement on July 27, the Commission has maintained that the deal represents the least bad option, allowing the EU to avoid a further escalation in the transatlantic trade dispute.

However, the details of the agreement are still under negotiation, just days after a US Executive Order set tariffs at 15%. Germany, in particular, continues to see its automotive industry heavily impacted by 25% US tariffs — contrary to the political deal, which aimed to reduce them to 15%.

Negotiations also continue on which products may be eligible for exemptions.

“We fight for every product and every industry,” a senior EU official said, adding: “We’re really trying to get as many products into the list of exemptions.”

A joint EU-US statement is expected to be released soon, aiming to reinforce the political commitments made on both sides of the Atlantic.

Under the current framework, the US has agreed to apply a 15% tariff on EU goods, while the EU has committed to purchasing US energy and investing in the United States.

A naked Donald Trump was depicted in bed with Satan in the 27th season premiere of South Park, a reference which sparked anger from the White House in the US

South Park co-creator Trey Parker hit back at anger from the White House over the depiction of a naked Donald Trump in bed with Satan in the animated series.

The reference featured in the first episode of the 27th series of the programme, which aired on Wednesday, following the team’s £1.19bn ($1.5 billion) deal with Paramount. The White House blasted the jibe, branding South Park a “fourth-rate show… with uninspired ideas.”

But today Mr Parker, who with Matt Stone created South Park in 1997, had the briefest – and iciest – response to the backlash. He said: “We’re terribly sorry” and gave a long, deadpan-comic stare to camera and his fans.

Mr Parker, who also co-created The Book of Mormon, was asked for his reaction to the fracas as he sat on the stage at San Diego’s Comic-Con International at the beginning of a Comedy Central animation panel. Mr Stone was also on the panel at the comic book convention, held in California every year.

READ MORE: Where you’ve seen the cast of Amazon Prime’s Cross before from Supernatural to 90210

In the episode, Mr Trump sues the town of South Park when its residents challenge the presence of Jesus Christ – the actual person – in its elementary school. Jesus tells them they ought to settle.

Although Mr Parker and Mr Stone recently signed a five-year deal with Paramount for 50 new episodes and streaming rights to previous seasons, they used the episode on Wednesday to take aim at the company’s its $16 million (£11.8 million) recent settlement with Mr Trump.

But in a statement after the season premiere aired, a spokesperson for the White House said: “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.”

In the episode, Jesus says: “You guys saw what happened to CBS? Yeah, well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount. Do you really want to end up like Colbert?”

CBS and parent Paramount Global canceled Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” last week, days after Colbert sharply criticised Paramount’s settlement of Mr Trump’s lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview. CBS and Paramount executives said it was a financial decision to axe “The Late Show.”

The efficiency of South Park production, and the brinksmanship of its creators, has allowed it to stay incredibly current for an animated series, fans say.

Speaking at Comic-Con, father-of-one Mr Parker said: “I don’t know what next week’s episode is going to be. Even just three days ago, we were like, ‘I don’t know if people are going to like this.'”

Love Island viewers are starting to suspect one Islander doesn’t like one of their co-stars after some ‘unnecessarily rude’ comments made behind their back on the ITV2 series

Some Love Island fans picked up on some odd behaviour by one star aimed at another contestant in the villa this week.

It left many fans questioning if a secret feud was unfolding, with some convinced one Islander “hated” another. Just days on from the pair in question being coupled up, fans suggested the pair might not be seeing eye to eye.

Then some comments Ben made behind Toni’s back int he latest episode left fans calling him out, while also suggesting there could be some drama between them. Bombshell Toni had debuted earlier in the week, before she stole Ben from Shakira.

Just days later Ben was heard whining about Toni to the other Islanders, claiming she gave him “the ick” and that he was “stuck” with someone he didn’t want to be with. He made some other jibes about her behind her back, and said her saw nothing there with her, not wanting to pursue a romance.

Toni was then praised for “humbling” Ben when she confronted him and put an end to their pairing. Since then there’s been other moments where Ben hasn’t seemed keen on Toni amid his reunion with Shakira, and on Friday night we saw him comment about her once more.

As the boys were secretly being listened in to, the girls heard Ben say how Toni “didn’t even ruffle any feathers”. Toni’s entrance had caused some drama, and soon she was moving onto other men after the Ben ‘split’ and it left some of the girls nervous.

READ MORE: Love Island fans hit out at girls as ‘true colours’ show over dramatic bombshell arrival

But according to Ben there was nothing to be stressed about, and Toni didn’t cause that much chaos. The girls in the villa called this out with Toni looking far from impressed at being spoken about.

Viewers had her back though, taking to X to slam him as others predicted Ben had some sort of issue with Toni. Many wondered if he disliked her, after noticing he was being off with her more than once.

One fan said: “Ben is unnecessarily rude especially towards Toni.” Another agreed: “Ben hates Toni,” as a third said: “‘Toni hasn’t ruffled any feathers’ NAH Ben hatesssss her.”

Another fan commented: “That comment about Toni wasn’t nice I’m so sick of Ben.” A further post read: “Ben speaks so rudely about Toni, as one fan said: “Why does Ben hate Toni??”

A final message commented: “I’m convinced Ben HATES Toni.” It comes as the start of Friday’s episode saw a brutal dumping twist, following a shocking announcement in the previous episode. After a reocupling, Blu and Shea were left single and at risk of leaving the villa.

But everyone was left reeling when it was announced that Blu and Shea would have to decide between themselves which of them stayed, and who was sent packing. Immediately both Islanders got awkward, refusing to be the one to leave.

This drama continued into Friday’s episode, with Blu giving reasons why he should stay, even suggesting he had a spark with Toni which left her utterly baffled. Then Shea did the same back, making a dig at his co-star as he revealed why it should be him that stayed.

Shea commented on Blu having been there for days longer than him, believing there was no connection to be explored. Soon enough the other Islanders were tasked with making the decision for them as neither of them would go.

As it came down to a vote, it was Blu who was sent packing and Shea who was saved. The brutal moment left fans screaming, with it looking at one point as though neither guy was going to walk out of the villa.

Love Island 2025 airs every night at 9PM on ITV2 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .