What was supposed to be a proud moment for England’s top darts stars quickly spiraled into controversy.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries had just been honoured with MBEs, a major nod to their achievements and contributions to the sport.
But within a day, the spotlight shifted from celebration to criticism, and the darts community found itself split down the middle.
Dennis Priestley Comes Out Swinging
Darts legend Dennis Priestley didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on the young duo.
Speaking to OLBG, Priestley slammed Littler and Humphries for what he saw as a lack of unity and preparation during the Darts World Cup, where England suffered an early and embarrassing exit against Germany in their opening match.
He pointed out that during his own days playing doubles with Phil Taylor, they always trained together and stayed close as a team – something he believes Littler and Humphries completely neglected.
Priestley didn’t mince words, saying bluntly, “They let their country down,” and even questioned whether either of them had truly earned their MBEs.
Littler Fires Back Online
It didn’t take long for Littler to respond – and his reaction was just as fiery.
Taking to Instagram, the 18-year-old posted a sharp retort claiming he had achieved more in a single year than Priestley did in his whole career.
Although the post was quickly deleted, fans had already taken notice of the tension bubbling between the two generations of English darts.
Struggles in Germany Fuel the Fire
Littler’s recent performances in Germany haven’t helped his case.
In Frankfurt, he faced relentless booing from the crowd, which clearly affected his focus.
The same treatment followed him during earlier appearances in Berlin and Munich, prompting him to consider skipping future tournaments in the country altogether.
Despite his tough reception overseas, Littler has had a stunning run over the past 15 months.
He’s captured titles at the PDC World Championship, Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, World Series Finals, and the UK Open – an impressive list by any standard.
Priestley Acknowledges Talent but Urges Patience
While Priestley admits that both Littler and Humphries are talented players, he maintains that giving them MBEs so early in their careers might have been premature.
He recognized Littler’s influence in boosting the sport’s popularity, but warned there’s still much more for him to accomplish.
“If he’s already getting an MBE,” Priestley quipped, “then I suppose a knighthood must be next.”
Gerwyn Price Adds to the Criticism
Welsh darts star Gerwyn Price also chimed in – though he stopped short of naming names.
Reflecting on the England team’s disappointing loss, Price pointed out that the only duo who didn’t arrive, practice, or sit together were the ones who failed to win.
According to him, being talented isn’t enough in a pairs tournament.
“You need that team ethic,” Price said.
“They are great players individually, but it didn’t come together.
I wanted them to do well… but they were rubbish!”
What Happens Now?
With darts fans divided and legends weighing in, the pressure is now on Littler and Humphries to prove their critics wrong.
The young stars may have already made waves in the sport, but with all eyes on them, their next move could define how their legacies are shaped – not just by trophies, but by how they carry themselves in and out of competition.
The question remains: can they turn this criticism into fuel for greatness, or will the pressure start to chip away at their rising reputations?