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THEY are the two biggest names in darts at the moment – and are set for a rivalry that could well last over a decade.
Luke Humphries will be defending his world title when he steps into Alexandra Palace on December 15.
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are the two biggest names in darts at the momentGetty
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However, he will face the threat of teenage sensation Luke Littler, who like Cool Hand Luke has claimed over £1million in prize money this season.
It will mark a year to the month when Littler, 17, burst onto the scene at the World Darts Championship.
He was thwarted by Humphries, 29, in the final, and will be hoping to go one better this time.
Despite the pair vying for be the best darts player on the planet, they share an unlikely friendship.
SunSport looks into their bromance, which includes brotherly advice from Humphries.
Praise from Humphries
When Littler was 12, he would practice against Humphries.
So it was fitting that the pair would face off in that PDC World Darts Championship final in January, 2024.
Humphries prevailed 7-4, but afterwards was full of praise for his opponent.
“Luke has been an unbelievable talent, not just about the dartboard, he’s been fantastic with all the media that’s come about with him,” Humphries said after the match.
“He took defeat so well there. He said ‘go on, enjoy, celebrate’. You will never see another down to earth 16-year-old kid like him.
“He’s just something else and I really hope he’s in the Premier League because he’d be a pleasure to play alongside next year. He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that.”
Going into the Premier League
Humphries got his wish, as Littler got into the Premier League.
And the youngster turned the tables on the world No1 – hitting a nine darter on his way to a 11-7 victory to take the title.
There was talk that the pair’s relationship was frosty.
But Humphries dismissed those claims, before revealing they have weekly chats behind the scenes as they warm-up to go on stage.
“I love him to be honest, I think Luke is fantastic,” Humphries said.
“I get on really well with him. A lot of media outlets paint a different picture, me and Luke Litter are fanatic friends. We get along really well.”
Humphries added: “Every time we walk in this arena we always have a little thing together, we get up on the stage and have a practice, have a chat for 20 minutes or whatever, have a little talk about what’s gone on in the week and that’s our thing.
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Alamy“Everyone can paint the picture of ‘we’re rivals’, nah. We are rivals, we want to beat each other, but you will never get the negativity between us both because we get on really well and that’s it.
“He respects me and I respect him as an unbelievable talent up there, but the way he has dealt with himself this year has been absolutely amazing.
“His family should be very proud to be honest, because he has shown a lot of grit, a lot of determination and shown a lot of people that he deserves to be here.
“My dream would be to play him in the final because whoever won out of us two, I would be happy for him and if I won I am sure he would be happy for me.”
‘He’s a class player’
Littler then added the Grand Slam of Darts title to his list of honours for 2024 in November.
He later appeared on Sky Sports News, where he was asked if he could beat Humphries to winning the Players Championship Finals.
“I’ll try,” Littler quickly retorted. Before adding, “He’s obviously a class player. And not only is he one of the best, but he’s also one of the soundest players on the tour.
“Obviously we go way back, I was playing him when I was 12-years-old. And now you look at both of us now, both in the top five in the world.”
Fittingly, they met in another final at Minehead – with Humphries prevailing 11-7 and the pair sharing a warm embrace on stage.
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AlamyAfterwards, Humphries, once again, had kind words to say about his biggest threat.
“I’m really, really proud of that one to be honest,” Humphries said.
“I didn’t feel myself this week playing-wise, I felt like I was a dart behind in a lot of the scenarios but there’s something that Luke does to you. He really drives me, makes me want to be a better player and I enjoy playing him.
“He let me in really early in that first session to go 4-1 up, I never looked back and I’m proud that I didn’t take my foot off the gas. These big games are what I live for.
“Luke is a special talent and he was right – I said to him I’ve got to get these [titles] early before he wins them all.
“I’d love to be up here and hitting 105 averages like Luke is all the time but he’s a different calibre, he’s probably the best player in the world right now but there’s something about me that never gives up.
“This is a great way to go into the Worlds.”
But they cannot be ‘best of friends’
Despite the fact there’s an obvious bromance between the pair, there is an admittance that they could never be the best of friends.
After all, they’re trying to beat each other to the greatest prize of all.
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AFP“I’d rather be friends. There’s nothing to dislike about him,” Humphries told The Guardian.
“He doesn’t say anything horrible, he’s quite placid and down-to-earth and that’s why you see a friendly atmosphere when we play. There’s no animosity as we’re privileged to be the two top players in darts.
“I’m winning and losing finals against him and each match between us is an event. So we’re not the best of friends but we get on well.”
Time will tell if that’s tested should they come head-to-head, again, at Ally Pally.
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.
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