ITV apologised during their coverage of the UK Open final over foul language as darts fans at Butlin's Minehead Resort & Holiday Park sang about Prime Minister Keir Starmer. James Wade and Luke Litter were playing in the second session of Sunday's showpiece match when the crowd's loud singing of "Keir Starmer's a w*****" was audible to viewers.

Littler won the final 11-7 and beat Wade again, as he did last year. However, it was closer than the 11-2 victory 12 months ago.

Michael van Gerwen was the last player to defend their title. The Dutchman did so exactly a decade ago.

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Before those back-to-back wins in 2015 and 2016, Phil Taylor, 2009 and 2010, and Raymond van Barneveld, 2006 and 2007, were the only others to previously do so. Taylor remains the record five-time champion, after also winning in 2003, 2005 and 2013.

Littler is now just one of five players to win it multiple times. Wade is the other, emerging victorious in 2008, 2011 and 2021.

Speaking after his latest success, Littler said: "It feels amazing. I don't think it has been the best tournament for me, average-wise, but I have dug deep throughout and come out with a win.

"That is what James does, he is always behind you. I told him after the game that if he had hit those double tops, it would have been a completely different game. James and I always have a good battle. I said, 'back-to-back, you can get me next year'.

"I wasn't happy with myself in the early rounds, but as a player, you have to dig deep. We have come out as the champ!"

He added: "Coming into the tournament, I was on social media, and I saw that the last person to go back-to-back was Michael (van Gerwen) 10 years ago, same as the World Darts Championship with Gary Anderson. That was the target I set myself, but like I always say, take it game by game. We took it game-by-game, and now I am back-to-back!

"I don't think many people expected me to come here and win. I don't think many people expected me to win the Premier League last week. I think I can say I am back to my best. I am back!"

Wade, meanwhile, accepted the defeat well. He said live on ITV4: "Luke was just too good for me in the end. I was maybe a little bit gassed out, being older than he is. I couldn't quite find it, but hats off to him, he's doing what he does, and he does it quite easily.

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"I missed a couple of shots and doubles... no one likes losing! Perhaps it doesn't reflect how I am doing or what I am doing, but over the past 18 months, I have been doing alright.

"Luke is the best player in the world right now, and unfortunately, I have lost to him in three finals. I hate losing more than anyone, but I lost to the better player on the day."