Two years ago, Luke Humphries was labelled the man who ruined the fairytale. A 16-year-old Luke Littler was chasing a dream World Darts Championship debut, only for Humphries to stop him in the final, sealing his own place in history and fulfilling a long-held ambition.
Yet darts has never been a one-man story. Littler may now be the reigning world champion and the sport’s current world No1, but Humphries has already occupied both positions himself. Still, with a 12-year age gap between them, it often feels as though “Cool Hand Luke” is talked about a little less.
That doesn’t bother him. Speaking ahead of his first-round clash with Ted Evetts, Humphries is relaxed about Littler being viewed as the main attraction.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” he says. “The media can talk about both of us if they want. Luke is obviously going to get a lot of attention, but there’s nothing stopping them talking about us both. That’s their choice.
“If they don’t, there’s an obvious reason — it gets more clicks. A lot of what you see out there is pointless anyway, and I’d rather stay out of the limelight.”
So let’s focus on Luke Humphries. At 30 years old, he is a former world champion, a former world No1 and a player who has won virtually everything available in the modern game. He heads into the World Championship as second favourite — behind the familiar name — and appears quietly motivated.
“I didn’t feel the pressure last year when I was defending,” he explains. “It’s easy to feel it, but I didn’t. Nothing that happened could stop me being world No1.
“Everything was going well and I didn’t feel like I had to be champion again. I wanted it, of course, but there wasn’t pressure. Now it’s different — once you’ve won one, it becomes about how many. I feel good and confident I can do it again.”
Since then, Littler has closed the gap. During the latter stages of the Grand Slam of Darts, the teenager finally overtook Humphries at the top of the rankings after nearly two years of pursuit.
For Humphries, though, it’s no cause for concern. The pair are friends — and even teammates on occasion — and he views their rivalry as healthy.
“It’s just a number,” he says. “You can’t have an emotional attachment to a number. You’re world No1 one day, world No2 the next — nothing really changes in your life.
“It doesn’t mean you walk into a room and no one cares about you. Being No1 has benefits, financially and in how you’re introduced, but that’s it. I accept being No2 — and I can change that if I win the Worlds.”
Barring a shock, one of the two Lukes will end the tournament on top. And this is a rivalry that feels built to last.
Some fans have voiced frustration at how often the pair meet. With more tournaments than ever, the best now face the best more regularly — and Humphries and Littler have already played each other 12 times this year. Opinions are divided, but Humphries is firmly in favour.
“I want this rivalry to last for 10 years,” he says. “I don’t want anyone coming in and taking it away from us.
“I’m enjoying it. Some people love it, some don’t, but if there are more tournaments and we’re the two best players, we’re going to play each other. That’s how it works.
“It’s the same in tennis with Alcaraz and Sinner, and in Formula One. In every sport, the best face the best. It’s always a privilege to play Luke — it’s a chance to win another major and beat a great player.”
Away from the oche, Humphries is also helping promote the tournament through sponsor Fireball Whiskey, who are searching for a ‘Final Boss’ fan to attend every day of the championship.
“Every day?” he laughs. “Not just every session? That’s a lot of time off work. Nathan Aspinall would be good at it — he’d love those days on the beer.
“But it’s great to involve fans more. We thrive off the atmosphere. When fans enjoy being close to the players, that energy feeds straight back into us.”
Humphries believes changes like his walk-on music have helped strengthen that connection too, adding to the unique buzz around the World Championship.
Now seven wins away from reclaiming the world No1 ranking and the biggest prize in darts, Humphries feels refreshed after admitting to burnout earlier in the year.
“My performances have been more consistent lately,” he says. “When you go into the Worlds, you want to feel your game is in the right place.
“When I won before, I was doing the same things I’m doing now — red-hot form, 100-plus averages. Maybe I was winning a bit more then, but when you’re up against players like Luke and Gian van Veen, it’s never easy.
“The longer formats and one game a day suit me. That doesn’t mean I’ll win it, but I believe I can — and that’s what matters.”
Luke Littler versus Luke Humphries.
World Darts Championship final. Again.
It really does have a familiar — and irresistible — ring to it. 🎯
