Luke Humphries doubles down on Luke Littler call out with 'damaging' reply
Luke Humphries has issued a response to Dennis Priestley's scathing attack on his World Cup of Darts partnership with Luke Littler, with The Nuke also hitting back
Luke Humphries has hit back after he and Luke Littler were accused of letting their country down at the World Cup of Darts. The England pair entered the tournament as the overwhelming favourites, courtesy of their status as the top two players on the planet and the past two world champions.
However, after receiving a bye to the second round, they were shockingly dumped out 8-4 by hosts Germany in one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history. The defeat came shortly after they had been honoured with MBEs, with darts legend Dennis Priestley claiming they didn't deserve the accolades and had failed their nation on the big stage.
Taking to social media on Friday, Humphries fired back at the two-time world champion, reminding fans that it was only last year that he won the World Cup with Michael Smith.
Cool Hand posted on X: "Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke.. I didn't let my country down last year tho did I? One bad game for us and we will back next year to go again. Let's move on now."
Humphries' response comes after Littler delivered a brief backlash against Priestley's comments in a hastily deleted Instagram post. Littler wrote: "Doesn't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say anyway."
Priestley certainly didn't mince his words as he ripped into England's performance in Frankfurt. He said: "Luke Littler and Luke Humphries let their country down at the World Cup of Darts. From what we've heard, they weren't sitting together or practising together."
Reflecting on his own successful pairs partnership with Phil Taylor, Priestley added: "When I was playing in pairs with Phil Taylor we practised together and sat together, we played all over the world and I only remember us getting beaten once."
On the pair's inclusion in the King's Birthday Honours list, The Menace, 74, added: "To be brutally honest, I don't think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet.
"I think in time they could've done enough to warrant it but it feels very early. They have both won one World Championship each and are still young in their careers."
Priestley acknowledged Littler's contribution to the sport since he burst onto the scene 18 months ago, but believes there is room for improvement. He said: "Littler has been recognised for raising the popularity of darts which is great, but he can still do so much more.
"If he is getting an MBE this soon then you'd have to think he is on the right path to a knighthood. Nothing would surprise me now."
Humphries and Littler's next big tournament is the World Matchplay in Blackpool, which begins on July 19. Humphries won the tournament last year, while Littler lost in the first round to Michael van Gerwen.
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