The darts world is no stranger to fiery rivalries, but the latest chapter involving teenage sensation Luke Littler has set the sport ablaze with controversy. After a disappointing exit from the 2025 World Cup of Darts, the 18-year-old world champion faced sharp criticism from darts legend Dennis Priestley, who claimed Littler and teammate Luke Humphries “let their country down.” Littler’s sharp retort to Priestley barely had time to settle before Northern Ireland’s Neil Duff, the 2022 WDF world champion, took a swipe at the young star with a sarcastic jab about England’s performance. Unfazed, Littler fired back on social media with a biting four-word quip, “How’s Neil Duff doing?”—a move that has fans buzzing and the darts community debating the balance between bravado and respect in the sport.
The saga began at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, where Littler and Humphries, the PDC’s top two ranked players, entered as favorites to defend England’s title. Fresh off receiving MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for their contributions to darts, the duo suffered a shocking 8-4 defeat to Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in the round of 16. The loss, their only match after a first-round bye, drew scrutiny from Priestley, a two-time world champion. “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,” Priestley remarked, contrasting their approach with his own successful partnership with Phil Taylor, where they “practised together and sat together” and rarely lost. He also questioned their MBE honors, stating, “To be brutally honest, I don’t think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet.”
Littler, never one to shy away from a challenge, responded with a now-deleted Instagram Story, asserting, “Don’t deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… that’s what I would say anyway.” The jab referenced his meteoric rise, including a PDC World Championship title, UK Open, Premier League, and Grand Slam victories—all before his 19th birthday. Humphries, too, defended their record, posting 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, though, did I?”—a nod to his 2024 World Cup win with Michael Smith.
As the dust settled, Duff entered the fray during the MODUS Super Series, where he was eliminated in the group stage after a 4-1 loss to Martin Thomas. Seizing the moment, Duff had sarcastically posted online, “How’s England doing?”—a clear dig at Littler and Humphries’ World Cup flop. Littler, quick to retaliate, shared a screenshot of Thomas’ match-winning dart against Duff on his Instagram Story, captioning it, “How’s Neil Duff doing?” with a cheeky smiley face. The post, shared with his 1.9 million followers, underscored Littler’s knack for blending humor with defiance, further endearing him to fans who relish his unapologetic style.
The exchanges highlight a generational clash in darts, with Littler’s youthful swagger and social media savvy contrasting the traditionalist views of veterans like Priestley. Fans are divided: some praise Littler’s confidence, with one supporter writing, “The impact Littler has had on darts is arguably unmatched by anyone else,” while others echo Priestley’s call for focus, noting, “He’s got his head screwed on, but darts must remain the priority over sponsorships.” Littler’s off-oche ventures, including a McDonald’s burger launch, have fueled concerns about distractions, with Priestley advising, “It’s not about how much money you earn now, it’s about how much you’ve kept when your career ends.”
As Littler prepares for the U.S. Darts Masters and World Matchplay, his ability to channel this energy into performances will be key. The darts world watches eagerly, wondering if “The Nuke” will continue to dominate or if his outspokenness will invite more challenges from rivals. For now, his latest salvo at Duff ensures the spotlight remains firmly on him, both on and off the oche.
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