Luke Humphries has expressed sympathy for Luke Littler after the teenager admitted he nearly walked away from the Premier League this year.
On Thursday night, Littler claimed glory at the 02 Arena after overcoming his nemesis in the final.
The 19-year-old cut an emotional figure after his triumph, breaking down in tears on the stage as he reflected on months of gruelling action.
At times, the talented teenager has become a lightning rod for spectators. Fans have been known to boo him routinely, while he previously faced a backlash for clashing with Gian van Veen in Manchester.
Speaking on stage, Littler dramatically revealed he'd nearly walked away from the Premier League.
He said: “After Brighton and the incident in Manchester, I was sat at home saying to Faith [his girlfriend], 'I don't want to do it anymore, just the crowd every week'.
“I said to her, 'I'm down bad.’”
Luke Humphries has expressed sympathy for Luke Littler after the teenager admitted he nearly walked away from the Premier League this year
|PA
Luke Littler embraced Luke Humphries following their Premier League clash on Thursday
|PA
Now, Humphries has reacted and expressed sympathy for the youngster, admitting that fan behaviour can sometimes cross a line.
“I think darts needs Luke Littler, Luke Littler doesn't need darts. That’s the truth," he told Sports Boom.
“I think everyone thinks he's a robot. He's not, he is a normal person, a good kid as well, I think that's why he's trying to show everyone that.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Five things to know about darts star Luke Littler | GB NEWS/GETTY“It's hard because I've had it before, you know, for no real reason.
"I just had the crowd on my back up, after I beat Luke in the world championships, everyone just hated me for no reason.
“It's hard because you're kind of at home and you don't actually want to go and play darts because it kind of feels like everyone just hates you and don't want to see you play.”
Two years ago, when Littler first won the Premier League, he was cheered on by thousands of fans.
His popularity soared after a run to the final of the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, where Humphries used his vast experience to reign supreme.
This time around, however, things were different.
Luke Littler is now a two-time Premier League champion | PALittler faced boos but managed to maintain his composure to add yet another trophy to his glittering collection.
On his way to supremacy, the youngster battled past Gerwyn Price in a clash for the ages.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler sent a message to both Price and Jonny Clayton, who had also made the last four.
"Sorry, I had to do my job," he said when asked about dashing their hopes of glory.
"Gez should be proud of himself and I think Jonny has to be really, really proud of himself.
"I think the bookies had him at 50-1 to win the whole Premier League, the lowest out of us, me and the other seven."