‘That’s the truth’ – Luke Humphries tells fans to stop hating Luke Littler because champion, 19, ‘doesn’t need darts’

LUKE HUMPHRIES has urged darts fans to get behind Luke Littler rather than target him, insisting the sport needs its biggest star more than ever.

Teenage sensation Littler captured his 13th televised PDC major title on Thursday night, reclaiming the Premier League crown with a dramatic 11-10 victory over Humphries in one of the greatest finals their rivalry has produced.

But the celebrations quickly turned emotional.

Moments after lifting the trophy, Littler broke down during his Sky Sports interview as he reflected on the abuse and hostility he had faced throughout the gruelling 17-week Premier League campaign.

The 19-year-old was regularly booed by sections of the crowd in venues including Brighton, Rotterdam, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Leeds, and later admitted there were times when he considered walking away from the competition altogether.

Humphries knows exactly how that feels.

The world No. 2 was cast as the villain by some fans after defeating Littler in the 2024 World Championship final and says supporters should think twice before turning on the young star.

Humphries said: “Luke is such a fantastic player.

“I’ve been through it myself. After I beat him at the World Championship, it felt like people hated me for no reason.

“It can be really tough. You’re sitting at home and sometimes you don’t even want to go and play because it feels like everyone is against you.

“I understand what Luke is going through. But the reality is that people do want to see him play.

“Darts needs Luke Littler. Luke Littler doesn’t need darts. That’s the truth.

“People think he’s a robot because of what he does on stage, but he’s not. He’s a normal person, a good kid, and he’s trying to show everyone that.”

Littler’s latest triumph adds to a remarkable run that has already seen him win the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open and Premier League this year.

The Warrington wonderkid also lifted the Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals last autumn, leaving him with the opportunity to chase a historic clean sweep of major titles in a single calendar year.

Only legends such as Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have come close to achieving such dominance, but neither managed to win every major televised event available.

Littler believes the feat is possible if he can maintain his current level.

He said: “If my game is good enough and I keep performing, then yes, it’s possible.

“The Premier League final was probably one of my best performances. I loved the way the games unfolded — a last-leg decider in the semi-final and another in the final.

“If I keep playing like that with the new darts, I’ll definitely try to go for the clean sweep.”

His victory over Humphries highlighted once again why he is regarded as one of the sport’s most ruthless finishers under pressure.

The Premier League final was the 13th time in 15 last-leg deciders that Littler has emerged victorious.

He added: “Even going back to my JDC and WDF days, if it went all the way, I always backed myself.

“I stay relaxed in finals because all the hard work has already been done to get there.

“You know you’ve secured good prize money, so there’s no point overthinking it. You just dig deep and trust yourself.”

With another major trophy secured, Littler’s attention now turns to the World Cup of Darts, where he will once again partner Humphries as England aim to make amends for last year’s disappointment.