The darts world is no stranger to drama, but a recent war of words has set the sport ablaze as former world champion Keith Deller passionately defended Luke Littler and Luke Humphries against scathing remarks from two-time world champion Dennis Priestley. The controversy erupted after Priestley, a revered figure in darts history, criticized the young stars for their shock exit at the 2025 World Cup of Darts, claiming they “let their country down” and hadn’t earned their recent MBEs. Deller, a 1983 world champion, fired back, calling Priestley’s comments “a bit harsh” and rallying behind the duo who have transformed darts with their meteoric rise. As the sport gears up for the Betfred World Matchplay, this clash of generations underscores the pressures and expectations facing its brightest talents.
The saga began at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, where Littler, the 18-year-old reigning PDC world champion, and Humphries, the 30-year-old world No. 1, were expected to dominate. Representing England as the top-ranked duo, they entered as favorites after receiving MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for elevating darts’ global profile. However, their campaign ended abruptly in the second round with an 8-4 loss to Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. Priestley, 74, didn’t hold back, slamming their performance and preparation. “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 practicing together,” he said, contrasting their approach with his own successful partnership with Phil Taylor, where they “only remember getting beaten once.” He further questioned their MBE awards, stating, “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.”
Priestley’s remarks, particularly the claim that the pair hadn’t achieved enough despite their World Championship titles, struck a nerve. Littler, who became the youngest PDC world champion in January 2025 by defeating Michael van Gerwen, responded with a now-deleted Instagram post, writing, “Don’t deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… that’s what I would say anyway.” His retort highlighted his remarkable year, which included the UK Open, a Grand Slam title, and a Premier League crown, amassing over £1 million in prize money and a global fanbase of 1.9 million Instagram followers. Humphries, who won the 2024 World Championship and the 2024 World Cup alongside Michael Smith, was equally stung, taking to X to express his disappointment. “Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke,” he wrote. “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.”
Deller, stepping into the fray, defended the duo’s credentials and their right to respond. “England didn’t play well on the day. But all this ‘letting your country down’ – that’s a little bit harsh,” he said, acknowledging the intense pressure Littler and Humphries faced amid a hostile Frankfurt crowd. He also addressed Littler’s bold claim about surpassing Priestley’s achievements, tempering the debate with perspective. “Luke Littler saying he has done more than Dennis – well I wouldn’t go that far,” Deller noted, praising Priestley’s legacy. “Dennis, if we’re being honest, if it wasn’t for Phil Taylor might have won about six or seven world titles. To me, Dennis is one of the best players of all time.” Priestley’s two PDC titles in 1991 and 1994, including dominant victories over Eric Bristow and Taylor, cemented his status, but Deller argued that Littler and Humphries’ contributions to darts’ modern surge warranted their honors.
The controversy highlights the generational divide in darts, with veterans like Priestley holding players to the standards of a bygone era, while stars like Littler and Humphries navigate unprecedented fame and scrutiny. Littler’s youth and rapid ascent—becoming a household name at 16 after reaching the 2024 World Championship final—have drawn both admiration and criticism. Priestley offered advice, urging Littler’s team to “shield him from all distractions” like high-profile sponsorships with brands like McDonald’s, emphasizing that “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.” Yet, Littler’s impact, from packed arenas to mainstream media attention, underscores his role in elevating darts to new heights.
As Littler prepares to face Ryan Searle at the World Matchplay, where he aims to erase memories of last year’s first-round exit, and Humphries takes on Gian van Veen, the darts world watches closely. Their World Cup setback, exacerbated by reported lack of team cohesion, as noted by Wales’ Gerwyn Price, who claimed the pair “didn’t turn up or sit together,” may fuel their drive to prove doubters wrong. Deller’s defense serves as a reminder that even champions face off days, but for Littler and Humphries, the path to redemption—and further glory—starts now.
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