Luke Littler and Eloise Milburn have come out fighting over their relationship, with the pair receiving abuse online.
Littler has become a household name over the past few weeks, with the 17-year-old enjoying a sensational start to his darts career.
The teenager is in a relationship with Eloise, who is an amateur darts player herself.
But trolls online have targeted the pair due to the age gap, with Eloise currently four years older than her other half.
Luke Littler and Eloise Milburn have defended their relationship after receiving vile abuse from trolls online
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The pair have, however, now come out and publicly defended their relationship - having received plenty of nasty abuse on social media.
Speaking to The Guardian, Littler insisted the hate wasn't going to affect him or his mental health - while also revealing steps were being taken to limit the amount of abuse he sees.
"We knew people would find out [about their relationship] but it started off very bad," he said.
"As the weeks go on [the abuse of Milburn on social media] has been almost forgotten.
"We’ve been talking for a few months now.
"I’ve brung her along to the worlds, got to the final and whatever people say, they can say it.
"It’s not going to affect me or my mental strength.
"I’ve got guys doing my Instagram now and they delete it before I see it."
Eloise has also addressed the abuse she's received on social media.
The 21-year-old says it was initially hard to cope with but she's adjusted and would prefer to focus on those who back the pair - rather than condemn them.
"It was tough to start with. The first day I let it get to me a lot," she said.
"But you learn that as long as the pair of you are happy, that’s all that matters. The people that matter most are supportive of us."
The couple can certainly bank on the support of Eloise's mother, Amanda, who defended the pair earlier this month.
"There’s been a lot of horrible stuff being posted online about my daughter and my husband Phil and I are very angry about it," she told the Daily Mail.
"Eloise has been accused of all sorts and that she’s only with Luke because of his money and fame.
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Luke Littler and Eloise Milburn are happy in their relationship
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"But that’s a total pack of lies and disgusting.
"She’s not with him for any of these reasons.
"She doesn’t care about his money or his fame, she’s with him because she likes him. It’s as simple as that."
She added: "It’s really hurtful when we read these comments, many of them from so called darts fans.
"My daughter is none of these things that these vile people are making out.
Luke Littler is hoping to win the Dutch Masters and a second senior title of his career
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"She’s a lovely young girl who is in a new relationship and people should allow them to get on with things."
Littler is currently in action at the Dutch Masters.
He's hoping to win that competition, having won the Bahrain Masters earlier this month - claiming a first senior title of his career in the process.
