Luke Humphries pays tribute to Luke Littler as duo named in King's Honours list
Darts' World No.1 has enjoyed success beyond his wildest dreams in the sport in the past 18 months and is leading the game to new heights alongside Luke Littler - now both are about to bestowed MBE's in the King's Birthday Honours
Darts' World No.1 Luke Humphries says being made an MBE shows just has far he and Luke Littler are helping to take the sport. Both Humphries and his great rival have been handed the accolade in the King's Birthday Honours, for their achievements over the last 18 months.
Humphries, 30, has won eight major titles during an astonishing run of success, including the 2024 World Championship and the recent Premier League - where he defeated Littler in the final.
Teenage sensation Littler has been the only player on the PDC Tour able to regularly match the standard that Humphries has set. And while the 18-year-old is the star primarily responsible for bringing new audiences to the sport, Humphries has been front and centre alongside him ever since he exploded onto the scene.
Humphries said: 'It's something that me and Luke have really done together. I know he's done it on a much bigger scale, and from a younger generational part of it, but I think him having someone that can compete with him, compete against him, and push him all the way, it's made it really exciting for the sport.
'I think that's grown so many new fans. Everyone's talking about darts now, and I think that we're two of the pioneering parts of that.
'We've changed the face of darts over the last couple of years. It's starting to become a younger man's game. It's nice to be at the forefront of that.'
It has been some turnaround for Humphries, whose future was in jeopardy just two years ago. He suffered a number of anxiety attacks that threatened to curtail his career, but he has worked on his mental health, turned things around and that, combined with his successes at the oche, will now lead to a visit to the royal family.
'I feel really good about it, it's obviously something that was very unexpected,' he added. 'When I got the letter, I kind of couldn't believe when I opened it and it's a very proud moment.
'My mum and dad are obviously incredibly proud as well. Their son's obviously getting an MBE, which is quite a feat, to be honest. It usually happens later on in people's careers, but it's happened in mine pretty early.
'I feel pretty blessed, to be honest, I'm fortunate enough to get one.
'My girlfriend and my son will be very, very proud, especially my son. When he grows up and understands what it means, I'm sure he'd be very, very proud.'
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