Latest news with #Littler
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Humphries hits back at savage darts legend who ripped into World Cup flop
Cool Hand takes issue with harsh remarks of ex-hero Dennis Priestley Disappointed Luke Humphries has fired back at Dennis Priestley after the savage criticism launched out to him and Luke Littler by the darts legend. Cool Hand has responded to strong statements from the former World Darts Champion who hammered the England pair after their nightmare World Cup exit. Priestley didn't mince his words this week as he said they had let their country down and also stated Humphries and Littler were not yet deserving of the MBE honours which were handed to them on the even of the Frankfurt flop by The King. Littler was first to bite back with a post on social-media being noted only for a short time on Thursday before disappearing. However, Humphries has now used his X account to say: '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.' Priestley roasted the pair after it emerged from rival Gerwyn Price that the duo had not sat together or practised as a pair in Germany. 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. '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. 'If you go on and win the tournament without practising then it doesn't matter, but when you go out without winning a game as the big favourites, it's not a good look. 'Having said that, I think they will learn from the experience and come back stronger. Don't be surprised to see them lifting the trophy next year.' Priestley also made it clear that he did not feel the the pair deserve such recognition from The King at this stage of heir careers. Humphries and Littler were both handed an honour from the Birthday List prior to their shocking loss to the hosts in Germany and The Menace 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. '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.'
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with new girlfriend Faith as darts teen posts heartwarming family snap
Littler's relationship with Faith is moving fast GOTTA HAVE FAITH Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with new girlfriend Faith as darts teen posts heartwarming family snap Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER took the next step new girlfriend Faith as the dart star posted a heartwarming family snap while on holiday. The teen sensation jetted off for a sunny break in Spain just days after his disastrous performance at the World Cup of Darts. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Luke Littler was joined by girlfriend Faith on a family holiday Credit: Instagram 3 The darts star jetted off to Spain for some fun in the sun Credit: Instagram 3 Littler and Faith first stepped out together in March Credit: Instagram Littler and fellow top slinger Luke Humphries crashed out in the last-16 after a shock defeat to Germany. The exit came as the pair were both handed MBEs in the King's Birthday honours. But Littler showed no signs of disappointment as he jetted off to Spain for a family break. And he took things to the next level with new girlfriend Faith as she joined the Littler clan for some fun in the sun. Posting a picture of his family together, Littler stood proudly alongside Faith in the back row. And he also took time to wish his mum Lisa a happy birthday, declaring: 'Happy Birthday mum.' Littler also cooled off from the heat as he took a dip in a swimming pool with dad Anthony and a pal. Littler's father said: 'Just here now with Scott Bazza Grady at the secret location.' BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Littler and girlfriend Faith were first pictured together in March. The 19-year-old is a beautician who met Littler in February. Luke Littler launches new McDonald's burger as darts sensation, 18, adds fast food giants to lucrative brand deals Littler previously dated Eloise Milburn, who cheered him on at his World Darts Championship debut in 2023. But the pair split after just 10 months in July 2024 after struggling to make time for each other.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with new girlfriend Faith as darts teen posts heartwarming family snap
LUKE LITTLER took the next step new girlfriend Faith as the dart star posted a heartwarming family snap while on holiday. The teen sensation jetted off for a sunny break in Spain just days after his Advertisement 3 Luke Littler was joined by girlfriend Faith on a family holiday Credit: Instagram 3 The darts star jetted off to Spain for some fun in the sun Credit: Instagram 3 Littler and Faith first stepped out together in March Credit: Instagram The exit came as the pair were both handed MBEs in the King's Birthday honours. But Littler showed no signs of disappointment as he jetted off to Spain for a family break. And he took things to the next level with new girlfriend Faith as she joined the Littler clan for some fun in the sun. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS Posting a picture of his family together, Littler stood proudly alongside Faith in the back row. And he also took time to wish his mum Lisa a happy birthday, declaring: 'Happy Birthday mum.' Littler also cooled off from the heat as he took a dip in a swimming pool with dad Anthony and a pal. Littler's father said: 'Just here now with Scott Bazza Grady at the secret location.' Advertisement Most read in Darts Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Littler and girlfriend Faith were The 19-year-old is a beautician who met Littler in February. Luke Littler launches new McDonald's burger as darts sensation, 18, adds fast food giants to lucrative brand deals Littler previously dated Eloise Milburn, who cheered him on at his World Darts Championship debut in 2023. Advertisement But the pair split after just 10 months in July 2024 after struggling to make time for each other.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Luke Littler bites back at darts legend who claimed he 'doesn't deserve' MBE before deleting post
Luke Littler bites back at darts legend who claimed he 'doesn't deserve' MBE before deleting post Luke Littler is the youngest-ever winner of the PDC World Darts Championship and was named in King Charles III's Birthday Honours list to receive an MBE, which Dennis Priestley didn't agree with Luke Littler has responded to Dennis Priestley's comments (Image: Andrew Redington, Getty Images ) Luke Littler has boldly hit back at Dennis Priestly by claiming he's achieved "more in 12 months" in the world of darts than the veteran ever did. It comes after Priestley suggested that the young darting phenom doesn't merit an MBE. At the age of 18, Littler has already become a household name in the sport with a meteoric rise. He notched up a historic win at the PDC World Championship in January, becoming the youngest player to lift the title after triumphing over Michael van Gerwen in the final. Now ranked as the world No. 2 in the PDC Order of Merit, right behind compatriot Luke Humphries, the rookie pro has had an enviable start to his professional career. Littler's achievements already include winning the UK Open, a Grand Slam title and the Premier League Darts championship, as well as his World Championship crown. But the criticism from former two-time world champ Priestley came after a surprising upset at the World Cup of Darts last week for Littler and Humphries. Having been tipped to carry England to glory, they were dispatched with an 8-4 defeat by Germany's duo Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in their first round. The loss was unexpected, given Humphries' success in last year's tournament, partnered with Michael Smith, where he secured the trophy against Austria's Rowby-John Rodriguez and Mensur Suljovic. Littler and Luke Humphries are set to receive MBEs following King Charles III's latest Birthday Honours list, recognising their contributions to the sport. However, 74-year-old Priestley would hold off on such high commendations. Article continues below Following their disappointing World Cup performance, Priestley told OLBG: "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. Dennis Priestley has had his say on Luke Littler's MBE (Image: Getty Images ) "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. "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. "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." Luke Humphries and Luke Littler crashed out of the World Cup of Darts (Image: PA ) However, Littler hit back at Priestley's comments on Instagram, as he posted a story in response to an article surrounding the former pro's comments. "Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say," Littler wrote before seemingly deleting the post from his story. Darts icon Priestley was a founding member of the PDC. He boasts a storied career including a WDF World Championship in 1991 and a subsequent PDC world title. Article continues below However, Littler's swift ascent in the sport has been remarkable. The teenager has already won multiple trophies and succeeded in attracting new fans to the sport.
