Luke Humphries insists he doesn't care 'about the attention' after stunning World Championships vict

The other Luke in dart’s game of thrones might have reason to wonder why so much attention has gone to the one who lost their big showdown. For Luke Humpries, it is a thought that never seems to cross his mind.

Almost a month has passed since his magnificent win over Luke Littler at the World Championships, but while one teenager has become a transcending figure in his sport, the victor has reflected on a different kind of breakthrough and done so amid a different level of noise. Humphries would not have it any other way.

‘That’s just how the world works,’ he told Mail Sport. ‘Whoever’s the most popular will gain the most attention. But being a famous media person that everyone knows wasn’t my dream. My dream was to be world champion.

‘So for me, regardless of how much attention I’ve gotten after it, I don’t really care that much – I’m just happy I’m world champion. If that comes with a million followers or not, it doesn’t affect me.

‘I achieved the dream I worked so hard through my life to get. I think Luke’s handled the attention of it really well – it’s not easy for a 16, 17-year-old kid. I’ll try and help him as much as I can to make sure that it doesn’t become too hard.

PDC World Champion Luke Humphries sat down with Mail Sport to discuss life since claiming victory at Ally Pally at the start of January

Humphries – despite winning the tournament – has received less attention than his 16-year-old counter-part Luke Littler (R) 

Littler has become a house-hold name since his dramatic run throughout the tournament

‘But for me, the attention, I don’t care.’

It was perhaps a natural byproduct of the Littler rise that Humphries’ story found itself pushed into the shadow. That was a shame, because the 28-year-old’s rise has been fascinating in its own right – such were his battles with anxiety and form, he considered quitting in 2019 with an eye on returning to a previous job as a roofer.

The rewards of going against those instincts has been remarkable – Humphries won three of his final four darts majors in 2023 before storming Alexandra Palace and winning the world title. With it came a cheque for £500,000 and the status of world No 1. That’s a position he will hold on Thursday, when he faces Littler at the Premier League opener in Cardiff.

‘I just feel very happy,’ he says. ‘It wasn’t a straightforward path for me. I didn’t come in like Luke Littler and just bash my way through a tournament and be part of the elite straight away. It took me a long time to find my feet. 

‘The first couple of years were quite tough in my career – I was losing a lot of games 6-5, my mental capabilities weren’t there, and then obviously I went through anxiety and stuff like that. I decided to lose some weight, around four and a half stone, sorted out the anxiety problems and it allowed me to become the player I am now.

‘I feel like all that experience made me a stronger person and a better player. As much as I am not really happy I went through them, it has made me the person I am today and I am proud of that.’

Humphries admitted that he suffered through ‘tough years’ in his path to a championship

Humphries claimed that Littler has ‘handled the attention of’ the media ‘really well’

Processing the scale of the scale of his accomplishment has been a turbulent experience. Humphries added: ‘The day after (the final), I thought, “I am the world champion, the world No 1, I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve. I am still young, where do I set my goals now?”

‘But I said to myself. “No, you are at the top for a reason, so it is important that you stay motivated”. So I want to go on and win more now. I don’t ever want to be number two or number three in the world now. I want to be number one for as long as possible.

‘If I never win a world title I’d still walk away from the sport happy because I achieved that ultimate thing but I want more.’

Even if there hasn’t been the level of attention experienced by Littler, the transformation for Humphries has still felt dramatic.

Humphries is playing in the BetMGM Premier League Darts, which kicks off in Cardiff

Three 12-foot gold darts have been installed across Cardiff city centre to celebrate the event

‘Lots of people ask for pictures and signatures and it’s nice,’ he says. ‘I went into my local pub for dinner the other day and I think nearly 90 per cent of the people there came over and asked for a picture. I had it at a Premier Inn near Heathrow. 

‘I was off to an exhibition in Germany and people that wouldn’t look like they were into darts are coming up and asking for photos. It’s been strange but fun.’

What happens next for Humphries will be interesting as he attempts to preserve his place at the summit. Likewise for Littler as he navigates fame in pursuit of the titles that seem inevitable. To Humphries, Littler’s progression to a world crown feels inevitable.

‘I’m pretty adamant he will win a lot,’ Humphries says. ‘For sure. I’d be very surprised if he didn’t win a world championship. You don’t know what the future holds and it’s important he stays grounded. But he is grounded and I think he will win many major titles and world titles in the future.’

Luke Humphries is playing in the BetMGM Premier League Darts. Visit betmgm.co.uk BeGambleAware 18+ 

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