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Luke Littler hit out at a darts coach he dubbed an 'absolute helmet' after he criticised the teenager for taking part in a youth tournament last week.
The world champion was a surprising name on the entrants against the backdrop of a barnstorming year playing senior events - including the World Grand Prix, which he had won just one day earlier.
Littler then stormed through the group phase, beating Charlie Manby 6-5, and a 6-1 win over Jamai van den Herik to set up a semi-final clash with women's champion Beau Greaves.
Greaves later felled Littler, stunning the 18-year-old in the deciding leg to earn her place in next month's final.
But Littler's entry was not without criticism, with fans on social media dubbing the player's decision to take part as 'arrogant'.
And among the critics was former profession Andy Cornwall, who called out Littler for being 'absolutely ridiculous'.
Luke Littler hit back at a critic of his decision to take part in a youth event while the defending world champion of the sport
The teenager didn't hold back as he called out Andy Cornwall for being 'an absolute helmet'
'It was a bit like, 'Look at me, look at me, look at me. Everything is about me',' Cornwall told Mission Darts podcast.
'I didn't like it one little bit. Somebody should have got hold of him and said, 'You're doing the wrong thing here, Luke. You're taking away somebody else's chance'.
'You should not be playing in the youth anymore when you're world champion.'
Littler however disagree with the statement, and took to social media on Wednesday to rubbish Cornwall's stance via his Instagram Story.
'Andy Cornwall (apparently a darts coach and does work for Darts Corner or something), seen he said something about [Stephen] Bunting yesterday about where he stands and stuff, and now saying stuff about me,' Littler captioned a link to a post quoting Cornwall.
'What an absolute helmet of a bloke and I don't know him.'
Littler previously defended his decision after competing at the Players Championship 32, telling reporters: 'It's the same venue as what we professionals play and obviously the likes of Gian van Veen - tour card holder, Keane Barry - tour card holder - both played, but I'm the one that gets it in the neck.
'I didn't win, so a lot of people were happy, but I just thought I'd come and get used to playing first to five, first to six, and that's what I've done today and yesterday.'
Littler will return to the oche on Thursday for the first night of the European Championship, during which time the teenager will attempt to claim world No 1 status.
