Luke Humphries has made his feelings clear on James Wade after ‘walking off stage’ following Luke Littler defeat

Luke Humphries has expressed his disappointment regarding James Wade’s decision to walk off the stage after his World Matchplay final defeat to Luke Littler on July 27, 2025, at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Humphries, the current world No. 1 and a fellow Triple Crown winner, shared his views during a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship in darts. He noted that while Wade’s frustration after losing 18-13 to Littler—despite an early 5-0 lead—was understandable, leaving before Littler received the Phil Taylor Trophy set a poor example. Humphries remarked, “It’s a shame to see that happen. We’re all competitors, but the game’s about respect too, especially after such a big match.” He acknowledged Wade’s competitive history, having reached his seventh Matchplay final, but suggested that staying for the presentation would have honored the occasion and Littler’s achievement as the youngest champion.

Humphries’ comments come amid fan backlash on social platforms, where Wade’s exit was labeled “disrespectful,” though he later clarified his actions on social media, congratulating Littler and citing a need for downtime. As a peer who completed the Triple Crown earlier in 2025, Humphries’ perspective carries weight, reflecting a consensus among some players that post-match etiquette should reflect the sport’s spirit. With both Littler and Wade absent from the ongoing Players Championship 22 in Germany, Humphries’ stance highlights a call for unity as of 09:45 PM WAT on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.