Darts legend Dennis Priestley has claimed Luke Humphries and Luke Littler “let their country down” after their dismal display at the World Cup of Darts last weekend, and “haven’t done enough” to deserve an MBE.
England entered the tournament in Frankfurt as clear favourites but suffered second round heartbreak at the hands of Germany.
Humphries and Littler went into the competition in scintillating form, with Humphries emerging triumphant in the Premier League and Littler successful in his World Championship attempt.
The year has seen them separate themselves from the rest of the pack, with the duo being comfortably the top two ranked in the world.
Luke Humphries recently beat Luke Littler to lift the Premier League trophyPAComing into the tournament they had significant expectations on their shoulders, but a surprise opening round exit to hosts Germany derailed their plans to defend England’s World Cup title.
Priestley blasted the pair for their lack of preparation for the tournament, starkly comparing it to his and Phil Taylor’s World Cup practising routine.
Speaking to OLBG, Priestley said: “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.
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Dennis Priestley claimed Luke Humphries and Luke Littler 'let their country down'
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“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.”
The comments come after the tournament’s runner-up Gerwyn Price claimed the English duo were “the only two players that didn’t turn up or sit together”, whilst also confirming the pair did not practice together either.
Priestly slammed the duo for their lack of preparation, adding their recent MBE honour, which was announced just the day before their World Cup exit, was premature.
“To be brutally honest, I don't think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet,” he said.
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“I think in time they could’ve done enough to warrant it but it feels very early, they have both won one World Championship each and are still young in their careers.
“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.”
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Dennis Priestley said Luke Littler and Luke Humphries 'have not done enough' to warrant an MBE
GETTYWith Littler 12 years younger than Humphries, Priestley insisted that it was crucial Littler focuses on his career rather than “distractions” and sponsorship deals away from the sport.
“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 concluded: “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.”
Littler is set to return in the ongoing Players Championship, with the US Darts Masters and the World Matchplay coming up in the next five weeks.
A win in the World Matchplay in July would complete the 18-year-old’s illustrious ‘triple crown’, consisting of the World Matchplay, World Championship, which he won in 2025, and Premier League, won in 2024.
Humphries is the current holder for the World Matchplay, and is only joined by Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson as players who have won all three competitions.
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