Joe Cullen Explains On-Stage Swearing Slip and Reveals What Luke Littler Is Really Like Behind the Scenes

Joe Cullen put in one of the standout performances of the first round at the 2026 World Darts Championship as the former Masters champion and Premier League finalist swept aside the in-form Bradley Brooks 3-0 at Alexandra Palace, posting an average just shy of 100.

Despite his pedigree on the biggest stage, Cullen once again went into the contest as the bookmakers’ underdog, a situation that mirrored his opening-round clash last year against Wessel Nijman.

Back then, Cullen’s frustration with being overlooked boiled over, leading him to storm out of post-match media duties after citing a “lack of respect”. 

History repeated itself this year, with Brooks installed as the favourite, something Cullen found baffling given his experience under the lights.

‘On Paper Is the Key Word’

Cullen was keen to stress that while Brooks has enjoyed a strong season, the narrative around the match ignored the realities of big-stage darts.

“On paper is the key word there. Bradley’s [Brooks] had a good year. He’s played well. He’s probably had his best year to date, but I’ve been rubbish and I’ve had a better year than him, so make it out what you will.”

It was only after the match that Cullen discovered he had been priced as the outsider.

“I didn’t realise at the time that he was favourite for the game. My son told me, he said, ah, Bradley’s favourite for the game. I would expect that on a pro tour. I think Bradley would be favourite a hundred percent but not on that stage. I think something comes into me. I’m just itching to do well on that stage.”

Why the World Championship Matters More Than Anything

The 36-year-old then launched into a candid assessment of just how much weight the World Championship carries within the PDC calendar, particularly when it comes to Premier League selection.

In recent years, players such as World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker and UK Open winner Dimitri Van den Bergh have both missed out on Premier League spots, with Cullen pointing to a clear recency bias surrounding Ally Pally performances.

“This is where it matters. You cannot win a game the whole year and then go and win the world championships and you’re in everything and you’re full of confidence.”

“I’m not saying that’s how it works, but this is where you need to do the stuff. You see so many people miss out on Premier League spots. They’ve won the UK open, they’ve done well early on the year, but there’s a recency bias within things.”

“If you do well here, this is what everyone remembers. You can get announced out as a Grand Slam champion, a Grand Prix champion. There’s nothing quite like being announced out as the world champion.”

The On-Stage Swearing Blunder Explained

Cullen’s post-match interview also grabbed headlines for an entirely different reason, after he accidentally swore live on television while speaking to Sky Sports’ Abigail Davies.

Davies jokingly asked him to “please talk to me this year”, referencing Cullen’s frosty, one-word interview at last year’s tournament. This time, Cullen was in far brighter spirits, perhaps too much so.

When asked whether the win was “cracking”, a nod to the very popular sitcom Gavin and Stacey, Cullen replied:

“It was cracking, love. It was f**king cracking!”

Realising instantly what he had done, Cullen covered his mouth before apologising on air.

“I didn’t mean to say that, sorry! That’s a fine. I’m sorry. I’ll pay it now!”

Speaking afterwards, Cullen was quick to shift some of the blame, tongue firmly in cheek.

“It was Abby’s fault that, she referenced Gavin and Stacy and the response to that, included the swear word, if I get fined, she’s paying half of that,” he joked, when speaking to SportsBoom.co.uk.

‘That’s Just Who I Am’

While he admitted the apology was genuine, Cullen made it clear he has no intention of sanitising his personality.

“I didn’t mean to let that out, but it’s just a big part of me. I’m a great believer that if you get your personality across, and I think I get my personality across on stage and in interviews. None of it is forced or put on.”

That honesty, he believes, is part of what separates him from others on tour.

Calling Out ‘Dull’ Premier League Hopefuls

Without naming names, Cullen suggested that some players’ lack of personality may be holding them back from Premier League selection.

“It’s just part of my personality. I’d like to think I’m honest and decent at what I do, especially in interviews.”

“You get so many one dimensional yes or no men that are just so dull, and then at the end of the year they’re going, oh well I’ve been amazing all year but why am I not in the Premier league? Well, because you’re dull that’s why you’re not in the Premier league.”

“You’ll do a hundred interviews this week and you’ll get the same monotone, s**t. It must be refreshing to hear somebody speak a bit honest and not just be sold one dimensional.”

Cullen believes that if he can back up his words with results at Ally Pally, it could be his route back into the Premier League promised land.

Next Up — And a Possible Luke Littler Showdown

Cullen will now face either Mensur Suljović or David Cameron in the next round, but he was reminded that a win there could set up a blockbuster last-16 clash with reigning world champion Luke Littler.

Asked what the teenage sensation is really like away from the oche, Cullen offered a refreshingly honest insight.

“He’s incredible. I do so many exhibitions and they [fans] go I bet he’s a right kn*****d.”

“He’s really not. He doesn’t speak enough. He’s so shy. He’s so subdued. He’s just very, very good at darts.”

Despite the potential showdown, Cullen insists his focus remains firmly on the immediate task ahead.

“I’m not looking past Mensur or David Cameron. I’m not looking past that. I’m going to go home, have a nice best part of a week at home and I’ll be ready for next Sunday.”

Still, the prospect of facing Littler clearly excites him.

“I won’t be looking past next Sunday, but if it does come to that and I play Littler as you say, I’ll be relishing that and the whole world will be watching so I’ll be giving it everything,” he concluded.