Luke Littler has labelled his recent spat with former darts star Dennis Priestley as just ‘banter’. The teenager came under immense criticism after being accused of ‘letting the country down’ at the PDC World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt alongside Luke Humphries. Littler has enjoyed an incredible 18 months, asserting himself as one of the best in the business and stirring up conversations that he could be on his way to becoming an all-time great given his emergence at such a young age.
He was also awarded an MBE for growing the sport so considerably. However, with such success comes criticism, and Littler came under fire for his first-round exit at the World Cup of Darts. Following the match, Priestley took aim at the Nuke, who then responded by saying: “Don’t deserve the MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did…that’s what I would say anyway.”
The post to his Instagram story was soon deleted, and Littler has now addressed his response. He said: “People probably see it as like, I’m actually biting, but I just look at it as a bit of banter. I love it. If I see something, then I will just comment on it.”
Littler brushed over Priestley’s comments swiftly, but the brutal nature of the two-time world champion’s comments may act as encouragement for the teenager as he goes in search of more titles over the coming months.
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. 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.
“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. 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.”
Littler will be keen to silence his critics once again when he takes to the oche at the Winter Gardens for the World Matchplay. He was knocked out of the competition in the first round last year by Michael van Gerwen.