Luke Littler opens up on darts followers ‘shouting his identify’ at rival Luke Humphries

On Dec 10, 2024

Luke Littler has reflected on the surreal feeling of darts fans chanting his name during January’s World Darts Championship final, despite losing to Luke Humphries.

While Humphries clinched his first world title in a memorable match at Ally Pally, it was Littler who arguably stole the show – the young prodigy then aged 16 dazzled the nation and bagged himself £200,000 in prize money. The support from the crowd was evident as they chanted for ‘The Nuke’ following the final, celebrating the teenager’s incredible journey from dark horse to darts star.

Discussing the bizarre yet thrilling experience with The Telegraph, Littler, now 17, said: “I just can’t wait to go back. I’ve started many rivalries. The fans got involved throughout the tournament, even when Luke Humphries was picking up the world title everyone was shouting ‘there’s only one Luke Littler’.

“I was thinking in my head, ‘you’ve got a new world champion, why are you shouting my name?'”

A year after their intense rivalry began, the competition between Littler and Humphries is fiercer than ever, with Littler having bested ‘Cool Hand’ six times in a row following the Ally Pally event. Moreover, he captured the Premier League Darts title in May, after being granted wildcard entry, defeating Humphries in an 11-7 victory.

Luke Littler Luke Humphries — Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have a great rivalry
(Image: (Image: Getty))

As the 2025 World Darts Championship looms this Sunday, all eyes are on Luke Littler and Luke Humphries as the favourites to take the title. Fresh from his Grand Slam of Darts victory in November, Littler was narrowly defeated by Humphries in the Players Championship final, setting the stage for an epic showdown, reports the Express.

Humphries, speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledged their top form. He said: “I think we are both, at the moment, the two best players in the world. The averages he is putting in, it is fair to say he is putting in a big bit of form like I did last year.

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“It is quite close between us both to be honest, but with the averages he is putting in, it is fair to say he is playing the best darts at the moment. But the World Championship is different. It is tough. It is not a foregone conclusion. It is a massive opportunity for both of us – for me to win my second and for him to pick up his first.”

While the draw has ruled out a repeat of January’s final, fans could still be in for a treat with a potential semi-final clash between the two, should they come through their earlier matches unscathed.