As Luke Littler prepares to face Gerwyn Price in the Premier League Darts Play-Offs semi-final on May 29, 2025, at The O2 Arena, the 18-year-old world champion has dismissed wild rumors about retiring at age 23, sparked by Nathan Aspinall’s claim that Littler could “be off in about five years.” Littler rubbished the speculation, stating, “I’m here for the long haul, at least 10 years,” emphasizing his commitment to darts. Meanwhile, Luke Humphries, set to play Aspinall in the other semi-final, humorously claimed Sky Sports “mugged him off” by assigning him Cake by the Ocean by DNCE as his previous walk-on song. In a SPORTbible Agree to Disagree segment with Littler, Humphries said, “They did me right up there, didn’t they? Mugged me right off,” before praising his current choice, I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs.
Context of the Rumors and ‘Mugged Off’ Comment
Littler’s retirement rumors stemmed from Aspinall’s comments about his £4 million fortune and potential early exit. Littler, who won the 2024 Premier League title against Humphries and leads the 2025 standings with a record 45 points, dismissed the idea, citing his love for the sport. His six nightly wins, including a 6-3 victory over Humphries in Sheffield, underline his dominance. Humphries’ “mugged off” remark, made lightheartedly, referenced Sky Sports’ song choice clashing with his intense persona, a contrast to Littler’s playful Sweet Caroline walk-on. Humphries, the world No. 1, acknowledged Littler’s pressure-proof mentality, saying, “He’s not normal… I don’t think the pressure’s going to worry him.”
Their Rivalry and Play-Offs Outlook
Littler and Humphries have defined 2025’s darts landscape, with Littler winning the World Championship and Humphries securing three Premier League nights, including a 6-5 thriller in Leeds. Their rivalry, marked by mutual respect, saw a touching moment after Humphries’ 2024 World Championship win, where Littler said, “Go on, enjoy, celebrate.” However, tensions have surfaced, with Littler criticizing crowd behavior in Glasgow, where whistling disrupted their match, and Humphries facing social media backlash over scheduling complaints. Posts on X highlight the buzz around their Play-Offs clash.
Conclusion
Luke Littler quashed rumors of retiring at 23, vowing a decade-long darts career, while Luke Humphries jokingly said Sky Sports “mugged him off” with a mismatched walk-on song. As they vie for the £275,000 Premier League prize on May 29, 2025, Littler’s defiance and Humphries’ humor underscore their rivalry’s intensity. Like Raducanu, Collins, Gauff, Grealish, and de Minaur, they navigate fame and pressure with resilience. Watch the Play-Offs live on Sky Sports from 7:00 PM BST.
