Michael Smith furious at photographer during Dutch Darts Masters defeat

Michael Smith was furious at a photographer as he crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters.

Smith, the 2023 world champion, squandered an opportunity to land his first PDC title of the year at the first hurdle, losing to Gian van Veen 6-3.

Bully Boy has been in underwhelming form since his Alexandra Palace triumph last year.

And as Van Veen closed in on the deserved victory, Smith appeared irate with a photographer at the side of the stage.

The 33-year-old pointed out the individual and complained to referee George Noble. The St Helens thrower did go on and win the leg.

However, Smith merely delayed the inevitable, going on to lose the encounter. Following the latest defeat fans on social media were quick to urge the Englishman to revert to his old arrows.

One person said on X, formally Twitter: “Michael Smith is an absolute comedy. I don’t know how many times I have to say it, he’s stood on different stages every week getting mad at himself for playing poorly yet still won’t change darts?”

Another said: “Michael Smith can say what he wants, but since his new darts he has been awful. Not even likely to hit a 180 anymore.”

Michael Smith endured another difficult evening (Getty)

Smith wasn’t the only Premier League player to struggle this week.

Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright also crashed out. While Darts prodigy Luke Littler, overcame a tumultuous home crowd to see off Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals.

World champion Luke Humphries produced the most dominant performance of the night, dismantling Jermaine Wattimena 6-0.

Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen beat Vincent van de Voort in 6-1.

The pick of the quarter finals will be Littler taking on Humphries in a repeat of the World Championship final earlier this month.