Luke Littler has become the face of darts since his incredible run to the final of the World Championships in January, defying the odds as a 16-year-old debutant.
Since then he’s gone from strength to strength, proving that his success in the tournament wasn’t a fluke and that he should be respected as one of the best in the world. Amid the Littler-buzz, the darts prodigy was added to the Premier League Darts roster for 2024, and went on to win the competition.
The spotlight on Littler is completely justified and welcomed by all those at the Professional Darts Corporation, but Premier League rival Michael Smith can’t help but feel sorry for Luke Humphries. It was Humphries that beat Littler in the World Championship final, but he’s received barely any attention since becoming World No. 1.
Smith has no issue with Littler and is grateful for the extra attention darts has received, as more sponsors are looking to get involved. But as the World Championship winner in 2023, Smith is aware that Humphries hasn’t received the same media treatment as usual.
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“Fair play to the kid. He did what he did in the Worlds and we thought it could be a bit too much but he's just come on stronger and stronger,” Smith exclusively told Mirror Sport when summing up Littler’s impact on darts. “Won the Premier League and backed up the statements.
"Won in Bahrain, won in Europe, he's unreal and rightly so he deserves the attention, he's only 17 and he's getting everything. The only person I do feel sorry for is Luke Humphries.
“He is the world champion and No. 1, and the attention is kind of not on him. It could be a bit more.
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"But listen he's (Littler) filling all pockets by talking to everyone, everyone wants him, and I think that's why the record ticket sales are here this year. Everyone wants to see Littler. I'm not bothered by that. We're gonna get bigger sponsors, I get paid more and my kids eat more."
It was an incredible 2023 for Humphries, as he also won the Grand Slam of Darts, World Grand Prix, and he finished as runner-up in the World Matchplay. But it was all capped off with a World Championship win at the start of 2024.
Humphries continues to be a threat, finishing as runner-up in the UK Open and also reaching the final of the Premier League, where he lost to Littler. But unlike previous years, the World No. 1 hasn't been the most relevant.
There’s no doubt that in the long run Littler will provide a boost for the top professionals in darts, and his impact has led to a surge in youngsters trying out the sport. And Humphries doesn’t appear too upset by the lack of attention, with bigger life events to celebrate.
The World No. 1 proposed to girlfriend Kayley ahead of the U.S. Darts Masters, popping the question while visiting The Edge in New York City. He couldn’t follow up the proposal with a Masters victory, as Rob Cross was crowned champion after edging past Gerwyn Price in the final.