Latest news with #WorldDarts
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Humphries follows Luke Littler in hitting back at former World Darts champion after ‘let country down' jibe
GOT THE HUMP Luke Humphries follows Luke Littler in hitting back at former World Darts champion after 'let country down' jibe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE HUMPHRIES has followed the lead of Luke Littler and hit back at Dennis Priestley's explosive claims that the pair 'let their country down' following an early World Cup exit. Two-time world champion Priestley, 74, slammed world No.1 Humphries and reigning world champion Littler for losing in the second round to hosts Germany last weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Luke Littler and Luke Humphries crashed out the World Cup in their first match Credit: X @SkySportsDarts 2 Dennis Priestley said the pair 'let their country down' Credit: PA:Empics Sport It was their first appearance together in the team format but disappointingly the pair were beaten 8-4 by Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko amid a cacophony of boos from the Frankfurt crowd. The English duo were red-hot favourites to claim the title heading into the event. But Wales star Gerwyn Price said that the two Lukes did not arrive together nor spend enough time in each other's company – and essentially failed to gel behind the scenes. That shock defeat came the day after it was announced the two Englishman – the top two on the world rankings – were going to receive recognition in the King's Birthday Honours List. READ MORE IN DARTS GOTTA HAVE FAITH Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with new girlfriend Faith Straight-talking Yorkshireman Priestley also said in his chat with bookmakers OLBG that neither player had 'done enough to earn their MBEs just yet'. Cool Hand Luke, 30, lifted the World Cup crown with Michael Smith in 2024 and has vowed to return next year with The Nuke by his side. The former world champion said on his social media account: '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 though, did I? JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'One bad game for us and we will back next year to go again. Let's move on now.' On Thursday, Littler screenshotted an article that contained the quotes and captioned it up as saying: 'Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… Being made an MBE shows I've helped 'change face of darts' says Luke Humphries 'That's what I would say anyway.' That message was later deleted off his Instagram Stories. Littler is the most recognisable figure in the sport and his Instagram account mushroomed to 1.9 million followers shortly after he burst on to the scene in December 2023. His next appearance on the oche will be at the bet365 US Darts Masters, which will be held on June 27-28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Players Championship clash descends into ‘pub darts' with even winner looking embarrassed after ‘stinking' leg
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS star Pero Ljubic was left red faced after winning a leg that would not have looked out of place down the pub. The Croatian faced Niko Springer in round one of the Players Championship 19 in Leicester today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Pero Ljubic looked embarrassed after winning a marathon leg Credit: X @OfficialPDC 2 The PDC joked that they had reached pub darts territory Credit: X @OfficialPDC Ljubic was just one from victory at 5-3 up but had a nightmare trying to close out the win. It was a similar story for Springer, who failed to take his first two chances at winning the leg. Ljubic then had three throws in a row to win it - going from double ten to double five - but missing every time. It presented Springer with a second opportunity but again there was no luck. READ MORE IN DARTS PRICED OUT Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist stuns Gerwyn Price in timely boost His opponent returned to the oche but bust his score after throwing in single 18 when going for single one. Springer also needed double one at this point - though he ended up busting his score twice after another three wide of the target by Ljubic. The shocked commentator reacted: "Incredible scenes here. Oh dear." Frustrations were visible on both players' faces by this stage of the marathon leg. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Springer nearly launched a dart at the board in pure anger before just about composing himself. But finally after Ljubic's 26th dart of the leg, he landed the double one to win. Peter Wright stunned after James Wade farts during game The 47-year-old veteran turned to his opponent with an embarrassed look on his face and threw his arms in relief. PDC Darts' social media account joked that they had entered "pub darts territory" in a "stinking last leg". The commentator reflected: "Pub players around the world just smiling and going, 'they can do it too'." Ljubic faced fan's favourite Ricky Evans in the second round and lost 6-2.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Done more in 12 months…' – Luke Littler furiously hits back at former World Darts champion's MBE dig in deleted post
CROSSED WIRE 'Done more in 12 months…' – Luke Littler furiously hits back at former World Darts champion's MBE dig in deleted post Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FUMING Luke Littler has slammed darts legend Dennis Priestley for suggesting he does not deserve his MBE due to his age. Two-time world champion Priestley, 74, claimed Littler and world No.1 Luke Humphries 'let their country down' following their dismal exit from the PDC World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dennis Priestley suggested Luke Littler did not deserve his MBE Credit: Getty 3 The darts star hit back at the former player on social media Credit: Getty 3 Littler shared his furious response before later deleting it Credit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler The English pair were red-hot favourites to claim the title on their maiden appearance together but they surprisingly lost to Germany in the quarter-finals. That result came the day after it was announced the two Lukes – the top two in the world – were going to receive recognition in the King's Birthday Honours List. Straight-talking Yorkshireman Priestley said in a chat with a bookmaker that neither player had 'done enough to earn their MBEs just yet'. He 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. READ MORE ON DARTS PRICED OUT Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist stuns Gerwyn Price in timely boost 'In time they could've done enough to warrant it but it feels very early. '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." This jibe angered 18-year-old Littler – the reigning PDC world champion – who posted a short but pointed response on Instagram. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS The Nuke screenshotted an article that contained the quotes and captioned it with his response. He said: 'Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… Being made an MBE shows I've helped 'change face of darts' says Luke Humphries 'That's what I would say anyway.' He has since deleted the post. Littler is the most recognisable figure in the sport and his Instagram account mushroomed to 1.9 million followers shortly after he burst on to the scene in December 2023. His next appearance on the oche will be at the bet365 US Darts Masters, which will be held on June 27-28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. Littler, meanwhile, has teamed up with fast food giant McDonald's to launch a brand new burger. The 'Big Arch' is one of five new additions to the McDonald's summer menu launched on Wednesday. Priestley has also offered some advice to Littler which relates to the deals he has been handed away from the oche. He said: 'Luke Littler's team needs to shield him from all distractions and make sure he gets all the best advice because he is still so young. "I hope he reads this because my advice would be it's not about how much money you earn now, it's about how much you've kept when your career comes to an end. "He has his head screwed on but the important thing is that the darts remains the priority rather than all the sponsorship deals he keeps being offered."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
James Wade locked in another ‘FARTGATE' storm as disgusting act caught on live TV and called out by referee
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAMES WADE was involved in yet another dart 'fartgate' incident in Players Championship 17. The World No.10 kicked up a stink in a clash with fellow veteran star Peter Wright in Leicester. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 James Wade tried to explain his actions in an exchange with Peter Wright 3 'Snakebite' was the innocent party in a clear case of Wright 'n pong Wade let rip during his 6-5 win over 'Snakebite' to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday afternoon. Wright stepped back and laughed uncomfortably, but Wade's joke quickly backfired when the match caller told him the clash was being televised. Referee Owen Binks then informed the players: 'Oh boy, okay then… This is a streamed match guys.' Wade claimed: 'It slipped out.' And then added: 'Give it a second.' READ MORE IN DARTS PRICED OUT Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist stuns Gerwyn Price in timely boost Wright thought it needed more than a second, though. And Wade tried to prompt him back onto the oche, saying: 'Go ahead. Do you want nine more arrows?' It's not the first time the 42-year-old has passed wind during a match. He did the same less than a year ago in September 2024, also at the Players Championship. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK On that occasion he claimed it was his SHOES that made the noise. He wrote on social media: 'I feel I must address a situation following my run to the semi-finals of PC22 today. Darts star Daryl Gurney screams X-rated rant about his 'b------s' on stage at World Cup 'Footage has emerged of me doing what appears to be a 'shart' at the end of one of my matches. 'It was actually the Velcro on my new trainers. "I now consider this matter put to bed as don't wish to talk about it again.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist, 59, stuns Gerwyn Price to earn timely Players Championship prize money boost
Veteran oche ace rolls back the years just when he needs it most PRICED OUT Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist, 59, stuns Gerwyn Price to earn timely Players Championship prize money boost MERVYN KING'S form has gone "Boom" - three months after he went bust. The Ipswich ace toppled former Ally Pally champ Gerwyn Price on the way to three impressive wins at Players Championship 18. 2 Mervyn King worried he'd lose his home after being made insolvent Credit: Getty 2 Ex-world champ Gerwyn Price was overwhelmed by King Credit: Shutterstock Editorial It could not be more timely for King who feared losing his home after saying he owed 'north of £500,000' to HMRC. The one-time BDO world no. 1 exclusively told SunSport in March he even worried about how he could look after his three dogs. The ex-PDC World Championship semi-finalist said he "hid my head in the sand' as his debts soared over the past two decades. But King was in scintillating nick at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Wednesday. READ MORE DARTS NEWS 'absolutely out of order' Commentator fears for Littler after World Cup incident And top billing went to his opening performance. The current world no.147 dismantled Premier League Darts star Price 6-2. Averaging nearly 100, King bagged six of his nine attempts at double to clinch a 6-2 victory. His Welsh victim Price, 40, is world-ranked 11th and has seven PDC majors to his name, including the ultimate prize at the Ally Pally in 2021. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK King went onto beat Glastonbury thrower Justin Hood 6-3 before pipping Dutchman Wesley Plaisier 6-5. But resurgent Morecambe hurler Dave Chisnall ended the veteran's surge by inflicting a 6-2 defeat. Darts star Daryl Gurney screams X-rated rant about his 'b------s' on stage at World Cup But for King just being at the oche might be a joy after he was made insolvent at the High Court of Justice in London earlier this year. It left he and wife Tracey anxious about the care of their three large pets — a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, a Pyrenees-Newfoundland cross and a Golden Retriever - should the couple have to move home. King picked up most of his darts' prize money at his peak from the late-90s to early 2000s. However, he mistakenly thought that income was "winnings" rather than "earnings" - and he didn't make it known to the tax authorities. Two decades later - during Covid - King began delivering parcels for Amazon — and realised he could be near to becoming bankrupt. He also started a construction business but 'got rid of it' as he could no longer be a company director.
