In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and composure reign supreme, 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler has found himself at the center of a heated controversy. Just days after a disappointing early exit from the 2025 World Cup of Darts, Littler faced sharp criticism from darts legend Dennis Priestley, who questioned the young star’s recent MBE honor. The critique, which also targeted Littler’s teammate Luke Humphries, sparked a fiery response from the teenage sensation, igniting a debate that has captivated the darts community.
Littler and Humphries, both recently honored with MBEs in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours for their transformative contributions to darts, entered the World Cup in Frankfurt as England’s top-seeded duo. Expectations were sky-high, with many touting them as the most formidable team ever to compete in the tournament. However, their campaign unraveled swiftly, as Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko delivered a stunning 8-4 upset in the round of 16. The loss was a bitter pill for fans, especially given Humphries’ triumph at the previous year’s World Cup alongside Michael Smith, where they clinched a 10-6 victory over Austria.
The defeat drew immediate scrutiny, with Priestley, a two-time world champion, leading the charge. In a candid interview, the 74-year-old expressed disappointment, stating, “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 contrasted their approach with his own experience partnering with Phil Taylor, noting, “We practiced together and sat together, we played all over the world and I only remember us getting beaten once.” Priestley went further, questioning the timing of their MBE awards: “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.”
For Littler, who at 17 became the youngest world darts champion in history by defeating Michael van Gerwen in January 2025, the criticism struck a nerve. Known for his meteoric rise and dubbed “The Nuke” for his explosive talent, Littler didn’t hold back. In a now-deleted Instagram Story, he fired back, saying, “Don’t deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… that’s what I would say anyway.” The sharp retort underscored Littler’s confidence in his achievements, which include the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, the 2025 Premier League, and a record-setting six Premier League nights in a single year. His contributions have also fueled “Littlermania,” a surge in darts’ popularity that has drawn a younger, global audience to the sport.
Humphries, the world number one, has also faced his share of challenges, openly discussing struggles with anxiety and the grueling demands of the darts schedule. Despite these, his resume boasts eight major titles, including the 2024 World Championship and the 2025 Premier League final, where he bested Littler. The duo’s MBE recognition, alongside women’s darts veteran Deta Hedman’s OBE, highlighted their role in elevating the sport’s profile. Yet, Priestley’s remarks suggested that their World Cup performance fell short of the honor’s prestige, pointing to a lack of preparation and team cohesion.
The controversy has stirred mixed reactions. Some fans and analysts agree with Priestley, arguing that the MBE, a prestigious accolade previously awarded to darts icons like Eric Bristow and Fallon Sherrock, should reflect sustained excellence. Others defend Littler and Humphries, emphasizing their transformative impact. Littler, in particular, has shattered records, from being the youngest to achieve a televised nine-dart finish to earning over £2 million in prize money. His hometown of Warrington even renamed its rugby league stadium “Luke Littler Stadium” for a day to celebrate his achievements.
As the dust settles, Littler and Humphries are gearing up for redemption at the upcoming U.S. Darts Masters on June 27, with the World Matchplay looming. Priestley, while critical, also offered advice, urging Littler’s team to shield the young star from distractions like high-profile sponsorships, including a recent McDonald’s burger launch. “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 cautioned, emphasizing the importance of focus for the 18-year-old.
For Littler, the MBE controversy is a rare off-the-oche challenge in a career defined by triumphs. “This is an amazing and unexpected honour,” he said of the award, expressing gratitude while acknowledging its significance for darts. As he and Humphries prepare for their next challenge, the darts world watches closely, eager to see if “The Nuke” can channel this setback into another explosive performance, proving his detractors wrong once again.
Leave a Reply