‘I love it’ – Luke Littler reacts to Dennis Priestley spat and admits ‘people think I’m actually biting’

Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion, has addressed the recent spat with darts legend Dennis Priestley with a lighthearted take, calling it “banter” he enjoys despite misconceptions. The controversy stemmed from Priestley’s criticism following England’s early exit at the 2025 World Cup of Darts, where he claimed Littler and Luke Humphries “let their country down” and didn’t deserve their MBEs. Littler hit back on Instagram, asserting he’d “done more in 12 months than he ever did,” before deleting the post.

Speaking on July 18, 2025, Littler told reporters, “People probably see it as like, I’m actually biting, but I just look at it as a bit of banter. I love it.” His comments suggest he views the exchange as playful rivalry rather than a serious feud, though he acknowledged that some interpret his sharp responses as aggressive. The spat escalated when Littler also fired back at Neil Duff over similar World Cup jibes, showing his willingness to defend himself amid growing scrutiny.

Priestley, a two-time world champion, had questioned the pair’s preparation and early MBE awards, citing his own successful partnership with Phil Taylor. Littler’s rise, marked by his 2025 World Championship win and multiple titles, has drawn both praise and pressure, with Priestley later advising him to focus on darts over distractions. As Littler prepares for the World Matchplay starting July 19, 2025, his confident stance indicates he’s unfazed, turning the controversy into fuel for his ongoing success.